The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have renewed their pledge to improve cross-border commerce and fast-track the progress of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This commitment was cemented during a visit by Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President, Dr. George Elombi, to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the NCS headquarters in Abuja.
During the session, the leaders assessed existing joint projects and identified strategies to streamline trade processes, eliminate obstacles at borders, and foster economic integration within the region. Adeniyi noted that the partnership is anchored in the ambition to maximize Africa’s economic prospects by boosting trade between member nations. He highlighted that the alliance has already yielded improvements in modernizing customs systems and standardizing procedures for moving goods.
Adeniyi emphasized that this cooperation aids Afreximbank’s regional transit programs and the establishment of one-stop border posts. Dr. Elombi praised the NCS for its leadership in driving these changes, reiterating the bank’s resolve to assist with initiatives that promote the AfCFTA. Both parties also reviewed the achievements of the inaugural Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT), which took place in Abuja in November 2025 to align customs operations across the continent.
