The Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to customs modernization and deeper regional trade cooperation at the inaugural Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference, held from 17th – 19th November 2025 in Abuja.
The landmark gathering brought together all 54 African Customs Administrations, representatives of Afreximbank, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and the World Customs Organization (WCO) to discuss strategies for improving cross-border trade and shaping the future of customs operations across the continent.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges,” Dr. Anite highlighted the pivotal role customs agencies play at the intersection of trade facilitation, border security, and revenue generation. She noted that ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) align closely with the Federal Government’s fiscal transformation agenda under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
According to her, Nigeria’s modernization efforts, including digitized processes, enhanced inter-agency coordination, deployment of advanced scanning and risk-management tools, and adherence to WCO standards are essential not only for improving revenue but for creating a more predictable, transparent, and business-friendly trade environment.
Drawing on her experience as former Minister of Trade, Dr. Anite emphasized the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). With a market of over 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP exceeding $3 trillion, she described AfCFTA as one of the most significant economic opportunities for Africa. However, she stressed that its success hinges largely on streamlined customs procedures, coordinated border operations, and shared digital systems across the continent.
Dr. Anite commended the C-PACT initiative for fostering collaboration aimed at reducing non-tariff barriers, improving data exchange, and enabling faster clearance of goods. She reiterated the Ministry of Finance’s commitment to working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service to strengthen revenue optimization, deepen fiscal transparency, and enhance the ease of doing business at ports and borders.
She also applauded the Nigeria Customs Service for spearheading the conference and acknowledged the partnership of Afreximbank, the AfCFTA Secretariat, and the WCO in advancing customs innovation across Africa.
Dr. Anite urged delegates to engage actively in the conference’s technical sessions, noting that the outcomes and partnerships formed will play a decisive role in shaping Africa’s economic future. She reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with all African nations in breaking barriers, building bridges, and unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade.
