By Stella Odueme
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has underscored the importance of interoperable customs systems across Africa, describing them as essential to the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Customs Modernisation Project.
Adeniyi spoke 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, a statement said on Sunday in Abuja .
The event was held on the sidelines of the Digital Trade Forum 2026.
He identified the lack of harmonised technology among customs administrations across the continent as one of the major obstacles to implementing 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.
The Customs boss also welcomed the selection of Bergmans Security to drive the initiative, describing it as a major milestone for Nigeria’s customs modernisation efforts and a recognition of the country’s achievements in digital 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 added.
Earlier, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, said the Secretariat adopted Nigeria’s customs modernisation model after observing its success in deploying digital technologies that have enhanced revenue generation and improved operational efficiency.
According to Mene, the agreement with Bergmans Security is expected to support the development of a modern, interoperable customs system across the continent.
“Today, as we speak, Nigeria is benefiting from the deployment of these technologies. From our point of view, the continent has a lot to gain from the model that was introduced here in Nigeria. That’s why we signed the MOU today. We believe that the partnership with Bergmans Security will enable us to achieve our objective of creating a continental, modern, interoperable customs system that will ensure that all our economic operators benefit from an expanded market,” he said.
The AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project is expected to strengthen customs cooperation among member states through harmonised digital platforms, improve trade facilitation, optimise revenue collection and accelerate the implementation of the continental free trade agreement by creating a more efficient and integrated trading environment.
