Nigeria Customs, AfCFTA Strengthen Collaboration on Simplified Trade Regime

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has held a strategic meeting with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Abuja to advance the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) aimed at boosting small-scale cross-border trade.
The engagement, which took place at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, focused on enhancing trade facilitation, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), through simplified and transparent customs processes.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to making trade more accessible and inclusive while ensuring compliance with regulations.
Leader of the AfCFTA delegation, Pedro Estevao, noted that Nigeria has been selected as the pilot country for the STR in West Africa, citing its strategic position as the region’s largest market.
During the meeting, the NCS presented its draft Standard Operating Procedure for the STR, highlighting simplified processes for informal trade, passenger baggage, and low-value e-commerce, supported by digital systems.
Both parties agreed to sustain technical collaboration to align national and continental frameworks and address implementation challenges, as part of efforts to promote regional integration and economic growth.