Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.

The Nigeria Customs Service is currently playing leading role for the adoption of the Simplified Trade Regime STR, as part of measures to support small-scale cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA.

This formed the centre-piece of discussions at a recent strategic meeting hosted by the Service with a delegation from the AfCFTA Secretariat at Customs headquarters located in Maitama District, Abuja the country’s capital city.

The engagement specifically focused on advancing the implementation of the STR as a way of supporting small-scale cross-border trade.

The meeting also marks an important step in positioning Nigeria as a pilot country for the Simplified Trade Regime under AfCFTA, while reinforcing the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to facilitating trade, strengthening regional integration, and supporting inclusive economic growth.

‎Speaking at the strategic, Comptroller-General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, reaffirmed the commitment of the Service towards making trade easier and more transparent, particularly for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), through simplified customs procedures.

The Comptroller-General, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, noted that the Service aims to promote inclusive trade while ensuring compliance with both national and regional regulations.

‎Meanwhile, leader of the AfCFTA delegation, Pedro Estevao, who also spoke at the meeting, highlighted Nigeria’s role as the pilot country for the Simplified Trade Regime in West Africa.

He added that Nigeria’s large market position places it in a strong position to drive regional trade and economic growth.

A highpoint of the strategic meeting was the official presentation of the Nigeria Customs Service’s draft Standard Operating Procedure SOP for implementing the STR.

The draft outlines simplified processes for informal cross-border trade, passenger baggage, and low-value e-commerce transactions. These processes are supported by digital declaration systems and risk-based controls.

A consultant to the AfCFTA Secretariat, Nabil Zibani, also presented the proposed continental STR framework.

 He stressed the need for simple and accessible systems that will enable MSMEs to comply with customs procedures and participate more actively in regional trade.

‎Discussions identified key areas of alignment between the NCS draft SOP and the AfCFTA framework.

These include simplified documentation, use of digital platforms for declarations, adoption of thresholds for low-value goods, and promotion of inclusive trade, especially for women and small businesses.

Both parties agreed to continue technical engagements to refine implementation strategies, address possible challenges, and ensure proper alignment between national and continental frameworks.