Customs reforms, tariff changes target regional trade, revenue...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is advancing regional border modernisation with the customs administrations of the Benin Republic and Cameroon while preparing to implement new fiscal policy measures and tariff amendments aimed at boosting trade facilitation, industrial development and government revenue.

The initiatives come as Nigeria intensifies efforts to deepen regional economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and align its trade regime with the ECOWAS Common External Tariff.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, joined his counterparts from Cameroon and the Benin Republic on a high-level benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post between Zimbabwe and South Africa, one of Africa’s busiest border crossings.

The mission, supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), also featured Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials and private-sector partners, focusing on modern border management, digital integration and coordinated trade facilitation.

A joint communiqué issued after the five-day mission committed Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon to establish a Trilateral Strategic Steering Committee to drive harmonised border procedures, digital interoperability, coordinated risk management systems and personnel development.

Adeniyi said the Beitbridge model demonstrated that successful border modernisation extends beyond physical infrastructure to institutional coordination, technology integration and skilled personnel.

He said lessons from the Beitbridge and Chirundu border posts would guide reforms on strategic corridors such as the Sèmè-Kraké border linking Nigeria and the Benin Republic and the Mfum-Ekok border between Nigeria and Cameroon.

According to him, modern border systems are critical to improving trade facilitation, strengthening security and accelerating regional economic growth.

Cameroon Customs Director-General, Fongod Nuvaga, stressed the need for stronger regional collaboration to improve cross-border trade, while Benin Customs Director-General, Colonel Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou, said the Beitbridge experience offers practical solutions for improving border efficiency across West Africa.

Separately, the NCS announced plans to implement the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The measures include a revised Import Adjustment Tax list under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (2022–2027), updated national tariff schedules, revised import and export prohibition lists, a revised excise duty schedule and a Green Tax surcharge on vehicles with engine capacities of 2,000cc and above.

The service said the reforms are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal and trade policy framework, improve revenue generation, promote domestic industrial development, facilitate legitimate trade and align the country’s tariff system with regional and international obligations.

The implementation is expected to reshape Nigeria’s customs administration by supporting more efficient border operations while enhancing compliance with continental trade agreements.