The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a significant step in boosting Nigeria’s trade reach within Africa by successfully coordinating the country’s first shipment to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. This inaugural trade was completed by Lucky Fibres, part of the Tolaram Group, and arrived at Kenya’s Mombasa port, marking an important achievement for both Nigerian commerce and AfCFTA’s mission.
During a recent inspection visit to the Apapa Area Command to ensure all export documentation and shipment verification were in place, Olusegun Olutayo, a Senior Trade Expert and the Lead for Trade Enablement at Nigeria’s AfCFTA Coordination Office, underscored the importance of inter-African cooperation in realizing this success. Olutayo expressed that this shipment is a collaborative achievement, pointing out the coordinated efforts involving the AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana and the implementation committee in Kenya. According to Olutayo, such partnerships exemplify the shared dedication across the continent to expanding African trade.
“This effort reflects more than just a Nigerian initiative,” Olutayo remarked, adding that both Ghana’s AfCFTA Secretariat and Kenya’s implementation team were informed to ensure smooth procedures under the AfCFTA framework. “Our goal,” he explained, “is to foster a collaborative environment that supports and grows intra-African trade, ultimately contributing to economic unity across the continent.”
Furthermore, Olutayo praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its proactive approach as the designated competent authority for AfCFTA in Nigeria. He highlighted NCS’s role in overseeing the necessary procedures for trade facilitation within the AfCFTA guidelines, commending the team for its readiness to handle any issues and smooth the export process for Nigerian companies involved in AfCFTA trade.
“The Customs Service in Nigeria has consistently demonstrated its dedication to trade facilitation under AfCFTA. Whenever a problem arises, especially concerning AfCFTA-specific trade, Customs responds swiftly, embodying the true spirit of trade facilitation,” Olutayo noted.
This shipment is expected to have far-reaching implications, establishing a foundation for increased trade between Nigeria and other African nations while also showcasing Nigeria’s commitment to the goals of AfCFTA. By participating actively in AfCFTA, Nigeria aims to reinforce economic integration across African nations, enhancing the region’s commercial interconnectivity.
As reported by Heritage Times HT, this landmark export highlights Nigeria’s dedication to making AfCFTA a success, paving the way for more robust cross-border trading across Africa. The initiative, backed by the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to trade efficiency, illustrates how NCS aligns with the overarching goals of AfCFTA to simplify, support, and boost intra-African trade.
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