The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS’) commitment to deepening collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to combat illicit trade, streamline border operations, and strengthen regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
CGC Adeniyi made this known on Monday, November 3, 2025, during a high-level visit to the Commissioner-General of the GRA Customs Division, Brigadier General Glover Annan, at the Authority’s headquarters in Accra, Ghana.
During the meeting, both agencies underscored the importance of intelligence sharing, harmonised border procedures, and joint enforcement operations as vital tools in curbing transnational crimes and facilitating legitimate trade between Nigeria and Ghana.
Welcoming the Nigerian delegation, Annan expressed Ghana’s readiness to strengthen operational ties with the NCS, noting the shared vision between both nations to advance customs efficiency and regional trade.
“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 innovations in Ghana, and we see great opportunities in renewing our collaboration”, Annan said.
He further 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).
According to him, the forthcoming C-PACT Conference, scheduled for November 17 to 19, 2025, in Abuja, will provide a continental platform for Customs administrations to explore frameworks that promote transparency, lawful trade, and sustainable economic growth.
In his remarks, CGC Adeniyi stressed that criminal syndicates were exploiting operational gaps between Customs administrations across Africa, thereby facilitating illicit trade and the smuggling of dangerous goods. He emphasised the need for closer cooperation to address these threats and safeguard 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”, Adeniyi stated.
Recalling the 2001 memorandum of understanding on Customs cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana, Adeniyi proposed a review to reflect current realities and emerging opportunities under 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 added.
The Comptroller General further noted that his visit aimed to solicit Ghana’s support for the upcoming C-PACT Conference and explore joint strategies to promote 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 said.
The engagement between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Ghana Revenue Authority is expected to set the stage for a renewed bilateral framework focused on intelligence-driven enforcement, coordinated border management, and trade modernisation across the West African sub-region.