By Ebi Kesiena
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has successfully facilitated Nigeria’s inaugural shipment to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s trade expansion within the African continent.
This milestone shipment was completed by Lucky Fibres, a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, and transported to Kenya’s Mombasa port.
During a recent visit to the Apapa Area Command to oversee documentation and verify the shipment, Senior Trade Expert and Lead of Trade Enablement at Nigeria’s AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Olutayo, stressed on the collaborative effort driving this achievement noting that in coordination with the AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana and the AfCFTA implementation committee in Kenya demonstrates the shared commitment to strengthening trade ties within Africa.
While addressing journalist, Olutayo stated that this initiative is not just Nigeria’s effort alone.
‘‘I’ve communicated with both the AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana and the implementation committee in Kenya to ensure this shipment marks a seamless collaboration under AfCFTA.
“This is the spirit we are cultivating to boost intra-African trade and economic integration.” He stated.
Olutayo further praised the Nigeria Customs Service’s proactive role as the designated competent authority (DCA) for AfCFTA, which involves overseeing trade facilitation processes within the agreement’s framework. He commended the NCS for its readiness to address and resolve trade issues, ensuring a smooth export process for Nigerian businesses.
“The Nigeria Customs Service has been outstanding. They are genuinely committed to trade facilitation under AfCFTA. When any challenges arise, especially concerning AfCFTA, the Customs team steps up to provide the necessary support, exemplifying the essence of true trade facilitation,” Olutayo added.
Heritage Times HT notes that this shipment signals the beginning of Nigeria’s active participation in AfCFTA, setting the stage for increased trade activities across African borders and demonstrating the country’s commitment to fostering economic integration across the continent.
