Tinubu Hails AfCFTA Adoption of Nigeria’s Customs Model as Nigerian Firm Wins Continental Project

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the recognition of Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), following the selection of a subsidiary of Nigerian-owned Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited for a 20-year continental customs modernisation project.

The multi-billion-dollar project will be implemented through Bergmans’ subsidiary, AfriTrade CMP Limited, according to a statement issued by the State House on Monday.

The project is expected to deploy digital and physical infrastructure aimed at improving customs processes, cargo tracking, border management and trade-data exchange across participating African countries.

Another subsidiary of Bergmans, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, is currently involved in implementing Nigeria’s domestic customs modernisation programme.

President Tinubu said the development demonstrated Nigeria’s growing capacity to develop solutions that could be adopted across the continent.

“What has been built and tested in Nigeria is now providing a model for the continent,” the President said.

He described the development as an example of how African integration should translate into African institutions and businesses creating solutions for the continent’s economic needs.

“Under our Nigeria First policy, we will continue to create opportunities for capable Nigerian businesses to compete at home, across Africa and globally,” Tinubu added.

The President commended Bergmans, AfriTrade CMP Limited, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, the Nigeria Customs Service and Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, alongside Nigerian professionals involved in the modernisation programme.

The development followed a visit by AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene to the headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.

Mene visited the facility to observe Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme in operation.

Members of the Senate Committee on Customs, led by Senator Jibrin Isah, also participated in the visit after concluding a two-day retreat on customs modernisation and reforms.

During the visit, Mene reportedly described Nigeria’s indigenous Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu, as a potential model for other African countries.

He said AfCFTA had opted for an African solution despite receiving offers from non-African companies to provide similar services.

The decision, according to the State House, highlights the growing emphasis on African expertise, technology and innovation in implementing continental integration initiatives.

Senator Isah also expressed support for the Nigerian system after members of the committee observed its operations, saying the lawmakers had effectively become ambassadors for the technology.

B’Odogwu was first piloted in October 2024 as part of Nigeria’s efforts to modernise customs operations.

The system forms part of a broader programme covering cargo tracking, data infrastructure, surveillance, risk management and non-intrusive inspection.

The modernisation programme is also being integrated with Nigeria’s National Single Window, which was launched in March 2026 to create a centralised digital gateway for cross-border trade processes.

The Federal Government says the reforms are intended to make the movement of goods more efficient, improve revenue collection and strengthen border management.

Tinubu said the success of AfCFTA would ultimately depend on how efficiently goods can move between African countries.

“The promise of AfCFTA will be realised when goods can move across African borders faster, at lower cost and with fewer barriers,” he said.

The President added that Nigeria was prepared to contribute its experience, innovation and private-sector capacity to the continent’s efforts to establish a more integrated African market.

The latest development places Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme at the centre of the country’s broader push to position Nigerian technology and businesses as contributors to Africa’s emerging single market.