By Seun Ibiyemi
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has called for the deployment of interoperable customs systems across Africa, describing it as a crucial step towards the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the promotion of seamless intra-African trade.
Adeniyi made the call on Wednesday during the signing of a 20-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between the AfCFTA Secretariat and Bergmans Security to commence the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Digital Trade Forum 2026 in Lagos.
He said the absence of harmonised digital platforms among customs administrations across the continent remains one of the biggest obstacles to the implementation of the AfCFTA.
According to him, interoperable customs systems would enable African customs administrations operating at different levels of technological development to connect through a common platform, thereby simplifying cross-border trade and improving trade facilitation.
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“We are indeed delighted because one of the major obstacles that we have faced in this journey of implementation of AfCFTA is the interoperability of our systems. All the Customs administrations cannot operate at the same level, but when we have interoperability, it becomes easier for us all to hook up to one system and get trade facilitation done,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss also welcomed the selection of Bergmans Security to drive the continental initiative, describing it as a major milestone for Nigeria’s customs modernisation efforts and an endorsement of the country’s digital transformation in customs administration.
He said the choice of a Nigerian company to spearhead the project demonstrates confidence in Nigeria’s technological capabilities and experience in deploying digital customs solutions.
“We are delighted that it is a Nigerian company that has been given this platform to extend what they have been doing to the rest of Africa and for us to achieve trade facilitation and the implementation of the AfCFTA,” he added.
Earlier, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, said the continental body adopted Nigeria’s customs modernisation model after witnessing its success in improving revenue generation and operational efficiency through the deployment of digital technologies.
According to Mene, the agreement with Bergmans Security is expected to support the creation of a modern, integrated and interoperable customs system that will enhance trade across Africa.
“Today, as we speak, Nigeria is benefiting from the deployment of these technologies. From our point of view, the continent has a lot to gain from the model that was introduced here in Nigeria.
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That is why we signed the agreement today. We believe the partnership with Bergmans Security will enable us to achieve our objective of creating a continental, modern, interoperable customs system that will ensure all our economic operators benefit from expanded markets,” he said.
The AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project is designed to strengthen customs cooperation among member states through harmonised digital platforms, improve trade facilitation, enhance revenue collection and accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area by creating a more efficient and integrated continental trading environment.
