The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened its partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and improve trade across Africa.

The renewed collaboration was confirmed during a meeting in Abuja between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and Afreximbank President, Dr George Elombi.

Both organisations agreed to expand cooperation on trade facilitation, harmonise customs procedures, improve regional transit systems and establish one-stop border posts to reduce delays and lower the cost of cross-border trade.

Adeniyi said the partnership is built on the belief that Africa's long-term prosperity depends on stronger trade among African countries rather than relying mainly on external markets.

He noted that Afreximbank's support for regional transit initiatives has already produced positive results through better coordination and improved customs processes.

Elombi praised the Nigeria Customs Service for taking a leadership role in advancing regional integration and reaffirmed Afreximbank's commitment to supporting reforms that will help African businesses, manufacturers and exporters benefit from the continent's single market, estimated at over 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of more than $3.4 trillion.The meeting also reviewed progress made since the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade launched in Abuja in 2025.

In addition, Adeniyi identified poor interoperability between customs systems across African countries as one of the biggest barriers to the full implementation of AfCFTA.

Speaking during the signing of a 20-year public-private partnership involving the AfCFTA Secretariat and Bergmans Security, he stressed that integrated digital customs systems are essential for seamless information sharing, faster border clearance and increased competitiveness.

AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene also commended Nigeria's customs modernisation efforts, saying the country's digital model is being adopted to help build an interoperable customs system across the continent.