The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has identified interoperable customs systems as a critical pillar for the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing that harmonised digital platforms are essential to unlocking seamless trade across the continent.
Adeniyi made the remarks on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, in Lagos 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 signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the Digital Trade Forum 2026.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General described the absence of harmonised technology among customs administrations across Africa as one of the greatest obstacles to the effective implementation of the AfCFTA.
“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.
He noted that an interoperable customs system would enable African countries to seamlessly exchange trade information, simplify border procedures, enhance customs efficiency and facilitate the smooth movement of goods across national borders.
The Comptroller-General also welcomed the selection of Bergmans Security to spearhead the initiative, describing it as a major milestone for Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme and a testament to the country’s growing reputation in digital customs transformation.
“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 stated.
Earlier, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, said the continental body adopted Nigeria’s customs modernisation model after recognising the country’s success in deploying digital technologies that have significantly enhanced revenue generation and improved operational efficiency.
“Today, as we speak Nigeria is benefitting from the deployment of these technologies. And from our point of view, the continent has a lot to gain from the model that was introduced here in Nigeria. So that’s why we signed the MOU today. We believe that the partnership with Bergmans Security will enable us to reach our objective of creating a continental, modern, interoperable Customs systems that will ensure that all our economic operators benefit from expanded market,” Mene said.
The 20-year partnership is expected to drive the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project by establishing harmonised digital customs platforms across member states, strengthening customs cooperation, improving revenue collection and facilitating faster, more efficient cross-border trade.
The initiative is also expected to accelerate the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area by creating a modern, integrated and technology-driven customs ecosystem capable of supporting Africa’s ambition for a unified continental market.
