The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will host two major conferences in Abuja in December 2026 to strengthen border security, facilitate legitimate trade and advance economic integration across Africa.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Conference is scheduled for December 7–8, while the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) 2026 Conference will hold from December 9–11.
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According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the CGC Conference will be held under the theme, “Securing Borders, Enabling Trade: A Customs Commitment to Safer Communities.”
The conference will review the Service’s modernisation efforts, assess progress on previous commitments and examine the relationship between effective customs administration, national security and trade facilitation.
It will also feature discussions on digital customs systems, trusted trade corridors, seamless payments, intelligence-led enforcement and collaboration among security agencies. Participants will assess reforms implemented in 2026, alongside the presentation of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) certificates.
The statement said stakeholders, including the National Single Window Secretariat, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), excise-sector representatives and other relevant institutions, would review reform outcomes and identify areas requiring further improvement.
The second day will focus on coordinated responses to emerging border threats, with participation from institutions such as the Office of the National Security Adviser, the NCS, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
The C-PACT 2026 Conference, scheduled for December 9–11, will extend discussions to the continental level under the theme, “One Border, Interconnected Systems: Advancing Customs Cooperation through One-Stop Border Posts.”
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It will bring together customs administrations, policymakers, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, regional economic communities, border management agencies, development partners, technology providers and private-sector stakeholders.
The conference will address challenges affecting cross-border trade, including fragmented procedures, duplicated controls, limited information exchange and incompatible digital systems.
It will also explore how One-Stop Border Posts, interconnected customs platforms, harmonised procedures and coordinated risk management can reduce delays, lower trade costs and improve the movement of goods across African trade corridors.
According to the statement, the programme will feature policy discussions, technical sessions, technology demonstrations and presentations on experiences from existing and emerging One-Stop Border Posts.
Participants will also examine the implementation of AfCFTA initiatives, including the AfCFTA Integrated Transit System, the Single Bond Guarantee Scheme and the Electronic Certificate of Origin system.
The NCS expects the conference to produce practical recommendations, identify investment and technology opportunities, strengthen institutional partnerships and develop a roadmap for interconnected, digitally enabled border systems across Africa.
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The statement added that the Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, would continue to strengthen collaboration with national institutions and international partners to improve border security, support legitimate trade and advance Africa’s economic integration.
It said the outcomes of both conferences were expected to improve customs operations, deepen regional cooperation and support the AfCFTA’s objective of building a more integrated and competitive African market.
