Nigeria and Ghana Strengthen Customs Ties to Combat Illicit Trade

By Lod Onyeji

In a significant move to bolster regional economic integration and combat illicit trade, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have deepened their partnership. Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed NCS's commitment to strengthening collaboration with GRA during a high-level visit to Accra, Ghana.

Enhancing Cooperation:

The meeting underscored the importance of intelligence sharing, harmonized border procedures, and joint enforcement strategies to curb transnational crimes and enhance legitimate trade between the two West African nations. GRA Commissioner-General, Brigadier General Glover Annan, welcomed the Nigerian delegation and expressed Ghana's readiness to strengthen operational ties with NCS.

A Shared Vision:

Both agencies share a vision to strengthen customs operations and promote seamless trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). "Our nations are united not just by history and culture but also by a shared vision to strengthen customs operations," Brig.-Gen. Annan said.

C-PACT Initiative:

The NCS is championing the Customs-Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) initiative, developed in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and supported by the World Customs Organisation (WCO). The upcoming C-PACT Conference in Abuja will provide a platform for Customs administrations to explore new frameworks for transparency, lawful trade, and sustainable economic growth.

Joint Strategies: 

CGC Adeniyi emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation to counter threats and protect regional economies. "We must bridge the gaps between our administrations because these are the same weaknesses that transnational criminals exploit," he said. The two agencies aim to review and update their 2001 memorandum of understanding to reflect contemporary realities and new opportunities under AfCFTA.