Nigeria to leverage export growth to lead intra-African commerce

The federal government has expressed it’s determination to reposition Nigeria as the central hub for intra African commerce, leveraging it’s growing export volumes.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who stated this disclosed that export volumes have increased by more than 30 per cent in the past two years.

Adeniyi, however, noted that the current challenge is to redirect more of this trade towards African markets.

Speaking at the State House ahead of maiden Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference scheduled for 17–19 November 2025 in Abuja, Adeniyi outlined Nigeria’s renewed commitment to deepening continental trade integration and strengthening Customs-led reforms.

He disclosed that President Tinubu’s recent approval of an extension of his mandate came with clear performance targets focused on trade facilitation, port decongestion, and modernisation of Nigeria’s cross-border systems.

He noted that the President’s policy directives reflect a deliberate shift towards using trade as a major engine of economic expansion, saying the administration is determined to reposition Nigeria as a central hub for intra-African commerce.

“Mr President has made it very clear that he intends to use trade to promote economic development and alleviate poverty. So I was not surprised that the implementation of the continental free trade agreement was specifically mentioned in my renewed mandate.” He said.

The Customs CG further explained that since receiving the directive, he has intensified engagements with his counterparts across Africa, including a recent strategic meeting in Ghana with the Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He said the NCS is pushing for greater involvement of Customs administrations in implementing the free trade regime, insisting that sustainable integration cannot happen without Customs at the centre.

He added, “For many years, regional trade arrangements struggled because Customs was not brought in early enough. I have made this point repeatedly: if we must achieve the objectives of AfCFTA, Customs must play its role in enforcing rules of origin, applying preferences, and ensuring that goods genuinely enjoy the benefits of the agreement.”

CGC Adeniyi said the forthcoming C-PACT Summit, which Nigeria will host in Abuja from 17th to 19th November, represents a major step in correcting past gaps and opening direct engagement between African Customs administrations, policymakers and private-sector operators.

He confirmed that more than 30 Customs administrations have registered for the summit, with 22 of them led by Directors-General, adding that the surge in private-sector interest is the most encouraging indicator so far.

The CGC disclosed that Nigeria will, for the first time, host the Secretary-General of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Ian Sanders, during the conference.

He described the development as a significant recognition of Nigeria’s increasing leadership role in continental trade diplomacy.

He acknowledged strong support from the Federal, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, the AFREXIMBANK Bank, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, port authorities and other agencies involved in cross-border trade, noting that their alignment has created “a historic window” for Nigeria to take command of its role in Africa’s economic transformation.

CGC Adeniyi says the first day of the programme will feature direct conversations with private-sector operators from across Africa to uncover the persistent barriers they face in moving goods across the continent.