In a significant move to bolster continental trade, the customs administrations of Algeria and Nigeria have committed to a new era of deeper collaboration. This pledge focuses on critical areas like joint training programs, modernization efforts, and the facilitation of smoother trade procedures.
High-Level Commitment in Algiers
The commitment was made by Major General Abdulhafid Bakhouche, the Director-General of Algerian Customs, during a meeting in Algiers on Monday, 2 December 2024. He received a delegation of senior Nigerian customs officers who are on a four-day study tour.
"We are fully prepared to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service in strengthening training, enhancing modernization and improving the facilitation of customs procedures," Bakhouche stated. He assured the visiting Nigerian team of his administration's full cooperation and urged them to maximize the learning opportunity.
Nigerian Delegation Carries Message of Continental Unity
The Nigerian group is led by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebanki, the Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC) in Gwagwalada. Adebanki delivered a goodwill message from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
She emphasized the urgent need for African customs bodies to strengthen their partnerships. "As African nations seek smoother trade flows, customs administrations must work together, particularly in training, building trade bridges and promoting modernization that supports seamless trade across the continent," Adebanki highlighted.
Focus on Securing Oil Exports and AfCFTA Goals
The study tour is specifically themed “Customs Delivering on Commitment to Efficiency in Securing Oil Exports in Africa.” Its primary aim is to expose the Senior Course 13 students from NCCSC to Algeria's procedures for handling oil exports. The goal is to identify best practices that can be integrated into Nigeria's own customs operations.
This bilateral engagement occurs as North and West African nations intensify efforts to deepen economic and security cooperation, largely driven by the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Both Nigeria and Algeria have recently accelerated reforms in:
- Customs automation
- Port transparency
- Anti-smuggling operations
Nigeria's Customs Service has expanded its international engagements, conducting technical exchanges with neighbors like Benin, Ghana, and South Africa. Similarly, Algeria, which depends heavily on energy exports, has been upgrading its customs processes to combat illicit trade and simplify export documentation.
By the end of the four-day visit, the Nigerian officers are expected to return with valuable insights into Algerian systems, particularly regarding the oil sector, with the objective of enhancing the efficiency and security of Nigeria's customs operations.
