George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority have pledged to strengthen collaboration to combat illicit trade and enhance regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this known on Monday, 3 November 2025, during a high-level visit to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Customs Division, Brigadier General Glover Annan, at the Authority’s headquarters in Accra.
Both agencies highlighted the importance of intelligence sharing, harmonised border procedures, and joint enforcement strategies as key tools to curb transnational crimes while facilitating legitimate trade between the two West African nations.
Brig.-Gen. Annan welcomed the Nigerian delegation and reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to strengthen operational ties with the Nigeria Customs Service. He commended Nigeria for championing the Customs-Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade initiative, noting that the upcoming C-PACT Conference 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.
CGC Adeniyi stressed that criminal networks exploit gaps between Customs administrations to facilitate illicit trade, including smuggling of dangerous substances and contraband. He noted that enhanced cooperation and intelligence exchange are crucial to protecting regional economies.
He recalled the 2001 memorandum of understanding on Customs cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana and suggested a review and update to reflect contemporary trade realities and opportunities under AfCFTA. Adeniyi said his visit also sought Ghana’s support for the C-PACT Conference and joint strategies to increase intra-African trade.
The engagement is expected to establish a renewed bilateral framework focused on intelligence-led enforcement, coordinated border management, and trade modernisation across the sub-region.
