By Stellamaries Amuwa, Abuja
The National Coordinator, Nigeria on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Olusegun Awolowo has stated the critical role of trade exit points, the functions of port comptrollers and the importance of various customs command posts under the AfCFTA which are pivotal in ensuring the seamless facilitation of trade envisioned by the AfCFTA.
According to Awolowo, it is not just a policy on paper but a lived reality for businesses across Nigeria.
The National Coordinator, AfCFTA made this disclosure during his welcome remarks at a one-day workshop organized in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service – the Designated Competent Authority (DCA) for Nigeria under the African Continental Free Trade Area, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
He said, “The AfCFTA presents to us a massive opportunity, one that promises to reshape Africa’s economic landscape by unlocking immense trade potential and fostering continental integration. However, the other side of this coin is the fundamental question we must answer. How prepared are we to take full advantage of this agreement. More importantly, how determined are we to do all that is necessary to ensure our people prosper under this transformative agreement.
Awolowo highlighted some points in order to enhance trade facilitation under AfCFTA, “The successful implementation of AfCFTA hingon the preparedness and agility of customs officers who interact directly with goods at our borders and ports. It is essential to provide continuous capacity building to ensure that customs officers are well-equipped to handle the nuances of AfCFTA’s rules of origin, documentation and procedures. We must move towards automating customs processes, especially at critical exit points.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General, Caroline Niagwam stated that, the processes will promote industrialization and bring development.
“Once the agreement ticks off, it will grow investments which will led to more developments. Nigeria Customs Service is waiting for the gazette because we are ready, everything has been put in place by the federal government. This process will enhance businesses, foster economic relationships within the continent and if export is boosted it will diversify our export and our revenue also. There will be job creations to reduce poverty, and also promote industrialization.”
