In a bid to tackle illicit trade and strengthen regional economic cooperation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have expressed a renewed commitment to collaboration through enhanced border control, intelligence sharing, and harmonized customs procedures.
The announcement was made during a high-level engagement in Accra on Monday, when NCS Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi visited GRA Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong at the GRA headquarters.
The meeting underscored the growing need for coordinated efforts to prevent criminal elements from exploiting gaps between customs administrations in the West African subregion.
Represented by Brigadier-General Glover Annan, Commissioner of the Customs Division at GRA, Sarpong welcomed Adeniyi and described the partnership as critical to promoting best practices in customs operations while maintaining integrity and excellence.
“This visit reflects the strong and enduring bond between Ghana and Nigeria.
”Our nations are united by history, culture, and a shared vision to strengthen customs operations,” Sarpong said.
He also emphasised the importance of this collaboration for the upcoming Customs-Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) conference, scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 17 to November 19.
The initiative, conceived by the NCS in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and supported by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), aimed to establish a transparent and agile customs framework, fostering lawful trade while promoting sustainable economic growth across Africa.
In his remarks, Adeniyi noted that criminals continue to exploit weaknesses in the continent’s customs systems to transport illicit goods, including dangerous drugs, into Europe.
He highlighted that strengthening intelligence sharing and reviewing previous bilateral agreements, such as the joint customs operations agreement signed in 2001, could close these gaps.
“Back then, we brought our two customs administrations together, but it is time to revisit that agreement to align with current realities and expand collaboration.
“The more we work together and exchange intelligence, the stronger our defense against criminal activities, ” he said.
The NCS chief also explained that the visit aimed to galvanise support for the C-PACT conference and to explore ways in which customs administrations could enhance trade facilitation and boost intra-African commerce under the framework of the AfCFTA.
“Our mission is to see how customs can play its role as a major promoter of AfCFTA. We want trade to be a source of economic growth and prosperity for Africans,” he said, noting the vast market potential across the continent.
Officials from both countries expressed optimism that the partnership would foster closer ties, facilitate efficient cross-border operations, and ensure that the shared goal of economic integration through AfCFTA is achieved.
Adeniyi’s visit is seen as a step toward enhancing cooperation in customs administration, promoting lawful trade, and tackling illicit activities that undermine economic development in West Africa.
