Tinubu Hails Nigeria’s Customs Modernisation Model as AfCFTA Awards 20-Year Continental Project to Nigerian Firm
Tinubu Hails Nigeria’s Customs Modernisation Model as AfCFTA Awards 20-Year Continental Project to Nigerian Firm
Tinubu Hails Nigeria’s Customs Modernisation Model as AfCFTA Awards 20-Year Continental Project to Nigerian Firm
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the growing continental recognition of Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme following the selection of a subsidiary of Nigerian-owned Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited to implement a 20-year, multi-billion-dollar African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Customs Modernisation Project.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the development as a significant validation of Nigeria’s capacity to develop homegrown solutions capable of serving markets across Africa.
The project will be implemented through AfriTrade CMP Limited, a subsidiary of Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited, and will deploy digital and physical infrastructure aimed at modernising customs operations across participating African countries.
The initiative is expected to strengthen cargo tracking, border management, customs processes and trade-data exchange, while supporting more efficient movement of goods and facilitating intra-African trade.
President Tinubu said the recognition demonstrates that solutions developed and tested in Nigeria can provide a model for addressing challenges across the continent.
He stressed that the success of African integration should extend beyond trade agreements to include Africans developing and deploying innovative solutions for African opportunities.
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Nigeria First policy, which seeks to create an enabling environment for capable Nigerian businesses and professionals to compete effectively within Nigeria, across Africa and in the global marketplace.
Tinubu commended Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited, AfriTrade CMP Limited, Trade Modernisation Project Limited and the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Nigerian professionals involved in the modernisation programme.
According to the President, their contributions have helped build confidence in Nigeria’s customs reform efforts and demonstrate the potential of Nigerian expertise to deliver solutions of continental relevance.
AfCFTA Secretary-General Inspects Nigeria’s Customs Reforms
Meanwhile, AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, who was in Abuja for the signing of the agreement, visited the headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service to inspect the country’s customs modernisation programme.
The visit provided an opportunity to assess Nigeria’s ongoing reforms and the technological infrastructure being deployed to improve customs administration, trade facilitation and border management.
Members of the Senate Committee on Customs, led by Senator Jibrin Isah, also joined the visit following the conclusion of their two-day retreat focused on customs modernisation and reforms.
The development marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ambition to position its customs modernisation experience as a platform for wider African trade integration and digital transformation under the AfCFTA framework.
Tinubu Hails Nigeria’s Customs Modernisation Model as AfCFTA Awards 20-Year Continental Project to Nigerian Firm
