Juliet Ezeh
Nigeria is moving to formalise and modernise its vast informal trade sector, as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) advances plans to deploy simplified and technology-driven systems under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
At a strategic meeting with the AfCFTA Secretariat in Abuja, the focus shifted to how digital tools and streamlined procedures can transform small-scale cross-border trade, which has long operated outside structured regulatory systems.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Niagwan said the Service is prioritising efficiency and accessibility by reducing manual processes and introducing simplified digital declaration channels for traders.
The proposed framework is designed to cover informal trade activities, including goods carried by passengers and low-value e-commerce transactions, areas often overlooked in traditional customs systems. By integrating these segments into a simplified structure, authorities aim to improve compliance while expanding economic participation.
AfCFTA officials noted that bringing informal traders into a more structured system would not only boost government revenue but also provide traders with better protection, transparency, and access to regional markets.
As part of the reforms, Nigeria Customs presented a draft Standard Operating Procedure that emphasises risk-based controls and minimal documentation, ensuring that small traders are not overwhelmed by regulatory requirements.
The initiative also introduces digital platforms for declarations and clearance, a move expected to significantly reduce delays at border points and enhance trade efficiency.
Discussions further highlighted the need to adopt practical thresholds for low-value goods, allowing small consignments to move more freely across borders without excessive scrutiny.
Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that sustained collaboration would be critical to fine-tune the framework and address operational challenges, particularly in aligning Nigeria’s system with AfCFTA’s broader continental strategy.
With these reforms, Nigeria is not only seeking to ease trade but also to transition thousands of informal operators into the formal economy, creating a more inclusive and structured trade environment in line with regional integration goals.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.