The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled a comprehensive plan to simplify cross-border trade procedures for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), aiming to reduce bottlenecks, lower transaction costs, and improve access to regional markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to implement a Simplified Trade Regime (STR), a policy mechanism designed to streamline customs documentation, introduce digital declaration systems, and accommodate low-value and informal trade, while ensuring compliance with national and regional regulations.
Speaking at a strategic engagement with officials from the AfCFTA Secretariat in Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade Caroline Niagwan, said the reform focuses on promoting transparency, efficiency, and inclusiveness within the trading ecosystem.
Niagwan noted that the NCS is prioritising policies to empower small-scale traders, particularly women and operators in the informal sector, enabling them to participate more actively in regional commerce.
She added that the goal is to create a trade environment that is easier to navigate, fair, predictable, and accessible to all categories of traders.
Pedro Estevao, leader of the AfCFTA delegation, highlighted Nigeria’s designation as the pilot country for the STR in West Africa, noting that the country’s large market and economic influence position it strategically to drive inclusive trade and accelerate regional economic growth.
Also speaking, AfCFTA Secretariat consultant Nabil Zibani outlined key elements of the proposed continental STR framework, emphasising the need for simplified, transparent, and user-friendly customs systems that enable MSMEs to comply with trade requirements without undue burden.
Deliberations at the meeting showed strong alignment between the NCS draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the AfCFTA framework. Key focus areas include simplifying trade documentation, deploying digital platforms for goods declaration and clearance, introducing de minimis thresholds for low-value consignments, and establishing targeted support mechanisms to boost MSME participation in cross-border trade.
Both parties stressed the importance of ongoing technical collaboration to refine implementation strategies, address operational challenges, and ensure seamless integration between Nigeria’s national procedures and the broader continental trade architecture.
The engagement is viewed as a critical step toward operationalising the Simplified Trade Regime in Nigeria, reinforcing the country’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, strengthening regional integration, and expanding economic opportunities for small businesses within Africa’s emerging single market.
