In a significant step for African trade, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has facilitated Nigeria’s first shipment to Kenya under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. This historic shipment was carried out by Lucky Fibres, a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, and is headed to Mombasa, Kenya.
The successful launch of the trade route demonstrates AfCFTA’s potential to enhance economic collaboration between African nations. Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert and Lead of Trade Enablement at Nigeria’s AfCFTA Coordination Office, noted during a visit to the Apapa Area Command that this initiative reflects the growing spirit of cooperation across the continent. “We are building a spirit of collaboration to increase intra-African trade,” Olutayo said, highlighting that AfCFTA implementation teams in both Ghana and Kenya were informed of the shipment, marking it as a milestone for inter-African logistics.
The NCS plays a pivotal role as the Designated Competent Authority (DCA) under AfCFTA, using its resources and expertise to facilitate smooth trade processes. Olutayo commended the Customs Service for its proactive support, stating, “The Nigeria Customs Service has been fantastic in its readiness to facilitate trade, especially around AfCFTA, with everyone stepping in to support seamless operations.”
This first shipment symbolizes the start of a new era in intra-African trade, where barriers are reduced, and the flow of goods between African nations is encouraged, reinforcing AfCFTA’s aim to build a united and prosperous African economy.
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