Skip to main content

AfCFTA: CGC Adeniyi Meets Scribe at Biashara Afrika 2024 to Enhance Intra African Trade

By Anne Ejuka


In an effort to enhance Intra African Trade and foster deeper economic integration, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, recently engaged in a high-level meeting with the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene and other stakeholders on the margins of the Biashara Afrika 2024 forum, hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, from 9th to 11th October 2024. 


According to a press statement by the service image maker, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, the meeting between the CGC and the Secretary-General provided a unique opportunity to refine strategies aimed at improving trade facilitation under the AfCFTA agreement.


Ok

The discussions, which centered on addressing existing bottlenecks and encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the agreement, given their critical role in boosting intra-African trade with particular emphasis on the role of Customs in these efforts.


The Secretary General of AfCFTA,  Wamkele Mene, who praised the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its progressive initiatives, including the pilot phase of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, the implementation of Advanced Rulings, and the conduct of Time Release studies noted that these initiatives have positioned the NCS as a benchmark for customs administrations across Africa.



Comptroller-General Adeniyi in his response commended the Secretary-General for his unwavering commitment to advancing the AfCFTA’s goals, despite the resource constraints faced by the Secretariat. He also acknowledged the critical support provided by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the legislative arm through the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. “The Act has been instrumental in providing the necessary legal framework for implementing initiatives that align with the government’s vision of making Nigeria the most efficient trading nation on the continent, fostering SME growth, and boosting exports to strengthen intra-African trade.



While highlighting the recent achievement of Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, CEO of LE LOOK Nigeria Limited, who became the first woman to export goods under the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) of the AfCFTA to East, Central, and North African countries with the export of goods on 16th July 2024 from Apapa Port in Lagos, the CGC said, success underscores the growing opportunities for Nigerian businesses in the continental market.


A key outcome of the meeting was the AfCFTA Secretariat’s commitment to develop a concept note outlining the way forward for the free trade area. In turn, the NCS pledged to bring these discussions to the Heads of Customs Administrations platform in Africa, ensuring a coordinated approach to addressing customs-related challenges across the continent.



The Biashara Afrika, now in its second edition, has established itself as a formidable platform for engagement between African public and private actors on the effective implementation of the AfCFTA. This year's forum focused on addressing the evolving challenges in the business environment and seeking innovative solutions to facilitate cross-border trade.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN (KSJI) TAKES A SWIPE AT BAD LEADERSHIPS IN NIGERIA

By Anne Ejuka
  Maj. Gen. (Prof) Remy Uche,  KSJI Supreme Subordinate President, Nigeria. As Christians all over the world marked  the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist on August 29 commemoration of his beheading by King Herod for speaking up to the truth, the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) of the Roman Catholic Church has taken a swipe against which it described as obnoxious and draconian leaderships in many spheres of life in Nigeria. The Knights of St. John International (KSJI), a sodality organisation of men and women looked up to in the Roman Catholic Church as people of integrity, is not happy with the current situation in the country where leaders in some places are not serving expectedly. According to a press statement made by the KSJI leader in Nigeria (Supreme Subordinate President), Maj Gen. Remy Uche (Prof), and signed on his behalf, by his Chief of Staff, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu, to mark the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the KSJI,
Post a Comment
Read more

Kabiesi Akintola Becomes A First Class King And Permanent Member of Osun State Council of Kings

By Anne Ejuka
A Retired Senior Customs  Officer, Deputy Comptroller Akintola Imran Ayodeji (Rtd)  has become a First Class King and permanent member of the esteemed Osun State Council of Kings. He  signed  his letter of appointment on the 19th day of August 2024, at a momentous occasion which  marked a significant milestone in his journey as a traditional leader and a proud son of Osun State. His Royal Majesty Oba Akintola Imran Ayodeji, The Alua Of Erin Oke Kingdom Ijesa, after signing his  letter of appointment saod felt a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to serve his people and uphold the rich cultural heritage of the great state of the Living Spring. This appointment is not just a recognition of his own achievements, but also a testament to the trust and confidence placed on him by the people and the Council of Kings. As a First Class King,the Kabiesi has pledged to work tirelessly to promote the welfare and development of his  communities, to foster unity and cooperation among hi
Post a Comment
Read more

KLT Command Generates N36.6 Billion In 5 Months As Compt. Edeldouk TAKES Charge

By Anne Ejuka
The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal command of the Nigeria Customs Service, said it has generated the sum of N36.6 billion between January and May this year. This was revealed by Comptroller Martina Tilley-Gyado while giving her valedictory speech yesterday, Friday, 31st May 2024 at the command. This, according to her represents 75 percent increase when compared with sum generated within the same period of last year. Comptroller Tilley-Gyado who handed over the mantle of leadership of the command to Comptroller Joy Edeldouk appreciated the officers as well as stakeholders for their support throughout her stay at the command.   She pointed out that the command relied on the stemming of cargoes to its terminals even though the cargo throughput was low. She  established and extended terminal availability adding that it also transformed from simple export processing terminal exporting 869 containers since it became Export processing Terminal (EPT). Tilley-Gyado said the achievements were due to
Post a Comment
Read more