By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified efforts to promote inclusive trade and regional integration following a strategic engagement with the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat on the implementation of the Simplified Trade Regime (STR).
The high-level meeting, held on March 23, 2026, at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, focused on advancing frameworks that will support small-scale cross-border traders, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), through simplified and transparent customs processes.
The Comptroller-General of Customs was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, DCG Caroline Niagwan, who reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while ensuring regulatory compliance.
“Our goal is to make trade easier, more transparent, and inclusive for small-scale traders, while ensuring compliance with national and regional trade regulations,” Niagwan stated.
She emphasised that the NCS remains committed to deploying efficient and technology-driven systems that will reduce bottlenecks and encourage broader participation of MSMEs in cross-border trade.
In his remarks, the leader of the AfCFTA delegation, Pedro Estevao, said Nigeria’s designation as the pilot country for the STR in West Africa underscores its strategic importance in driving regional economic growth.
He noted that as the largest market in the region, Nigeria is well-positioned to champion inclusive trade policies that will unlock opportunities for small businesses across borders.
During the engagement, the NCS presented its draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for implementing the STR. The document outlines simplified procedures for informal cross-border trade, passenger baggage handling, and low-value e-commerce transactions.
The SOP also incorporates digital declaration systems and risk-based control mechanisms aimed at enhancing efficiency while maintaining compliance standards.
A consultant with the AfCFTA Secretariat, Nabil Zibani, presented the proposed continental STR framework, stressing the need for accessible and transparent systems that enable MSMEs to comply with customs requirements without undue burden.
He said such frameworks are critical to expanding participation in regional trade and strengthening economic inclusion, particularly among women-led enterprises.
Discussions at the meeting identified areas of alignment between Nigeria’s draft SOP and the AfCFTA framework, including simplified documentation processes, adoption of digital platforms for trade declarations, and the introduction of de minimis thresholds for low-value consignments.
Both parties agreed on sustained technical collaboration to refine implementation strategies, address operational challenges, and ensure harmonisation between national and continental frameworks.
The engagement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward implementing the Simplified Trade Regime under AfCFTA, reinforcing the NCS’s commitment to facilitating trade, boosting regional integration, and promoting inclusive economic growth.