Nigeria's Customs Model Adopted for $3.1bn African Project

Nigeria is set to export its customs modernization model to Africa after the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) adopted the country's electronic customs system for a $3.1 billion continental project. The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) announced this development, which validates Nigeria’s public-private partnership (PPP) framework.

The AfCFTA Secretariat signed a 20-year concession agreement with Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited to implement the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project across member states, aiming to enhance trade among approximately 50 African countries. Dr Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, the ICRC Director-General, stated that this initiative showcases Nigeria's potential to export indigenous technological solutions.

He emphasized that the adoption of the Nigerian model demonstrates the effectiveness of well-structured PPP arrangements in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects. The project is expected to support the development of a more integrated customs system for the African single market, which has a population of about 1.3 billion people.