Efforts to improve cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area have received a boost with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project.
The agreement, signed at the AfCFTA Secretariat during the 2026 AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in Lagos, sets out a framework for modernising customs processes through digital infrastructure across member states.
The Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, said the project is intended to simplify cross-border trade, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, through improved digital customs systems.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the initiative would improve interoperability among customs platforms across African countries, making trade procedures more efficient.
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Chairman of Bergmans Security Consultant noted that the agreement followed years of work on customs technology development and expressed readiness to support the implementation of the project.
The AfCFTA Secretariat says the Customs Modernisation Project is expected to improve customs administration, facilitate cross-border trade, and support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
