The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat to accelerate the rollout of a Simplified Trade Regime (STR) aimed at supporting small-scale cross-border traders.
At a strategic engagement held on Monday at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja, the NCS reaffirmed its commitment to making customs processes more transparent, efficient and inclusive, particularly for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the initiative is designed to simplify trade procedures while ensuring compliance with national and regional regulations.
Leading the AfCFTA delegation, Pedro Estevao said Nigeria has been selected as the pilot country for the Simplified Trade Regime in West Africa, citing the country’s position as the region’s largest market and a major driver of intra-African trade.
During the meeting, the NCS presented a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) covering simplified documentation, digital declarations, passenger baggage processes and low-value e-commerce transactions. The AfCFTA team also outlined the proposed continental STR framework focused on easing compliance for small traders and expanding participation in regional trade.
Both parties agreed to deepen technical engagement to refine implementation strategies and ensure alignment between Nigeria’s national framework and the continental model.
The engagement marks a significant step toward positioning Nigeria as the pilot country for the Simplified Trade Regime while reinforcing the NCS’s commitment to trade facilitation, regional integration and inclusive economic growth.
