The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have strengthened their partnership to curb illicit trade between both countries.
The renewed partnership also aims to promote seamless trade facilitation and regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This follows a visit by the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the Commissioner-General of the Customs Division of the GRA, Brigadier General Glover Annan, at the Authority’s Headquarters in Accra, Ghana.
During the meeting, both agencies highlighted the importance of intelligence sharing, harmonised border procedures, and joint enforcement strategies as critical tools to curb transnational crimes and enhance legitimate trade between the two West African nations.
Speaking during the engagement, Gen. Annan welcomed the Nigerian delegation and expressed Ghana’s readiness to strengthen operational ties with the NCS.
“Our nations are united not just by history and culture but also by a shared vision to strengthen customs operations. The Nigeria Customs Service has continued to inspire our reforms and innovation in Ghana, and we see great opportunities in renewing our collaboration,” he said.
Annan commended the NCS for championing the Customs-Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) initiative, developed in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and supported by the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
He affirmed that the upcoming C-PACT Conference, scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 17 to 19, 2025, will provide a continental platform for Customs administrations to explore new frameworks for transparency, lawful trade, and sustainable economic growth.
In response, CGC Adeniyi disclosed that criminal networks were exploiting existing operational gaps between Customs administrations across Africa to facilitate illicit trade, including the smuggling of dangerous substances and contraband goods.
He emphasised that enhanced cooperation was crucial to counter these threats and protect regional economies.
“We must bridge the gaps between our administrations because these are the same weaknesses that transnational criminals exploit. The more we work together, exchanging intelligence and building capacity, the stronger we will be against these syndicates,” the CGC stated.
He recalled that Nigeria and Ghana had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Customs cooperation in 2001 and suggested that both countries review and update the document to reflect contemporary realities and new opportunities under the AfCFTA.
“It would be my wish that we take a second look at that agreement and breathe new life into it. We can identify new areas of collaboration that align with today’s challenges and the future we envision for African trade,” he remarked.
Adeniyi further revealed that his visit aimed to seek the GRA’s support for the forthcoming C-PACT Conference, as well as explore joint strategies to enhance intra-African trade and economic prosperity.
“Our mission is to strengthen the role of Customs as a major promoter of AfCFTA. We want to increase the volume of trade within Africa and ensure that trade becomes a true driver of growth and prosperity for our people,” he added.
