The Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday received a delegation from the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) in Abuja as part of a three-day technical visit aimed at strengthening cooperation on the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and broader trade-facilitation measures.
Welcoming the team on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, said the Service considered the visit a “valuable peer-learning opportunity” that reflects the growing confidence of countries within the sub-region in Nigeria’s reforms.
She noted that Nigeria’s AEO programme, launched less than a year ago, had already begun to attract attention across West Africa, particularly following recommendations from the World Customs Organization (WCO).
DCG Niagwan told the visitors that the Service was “fully committed to creating a predictable, technology-driven and rules-based environment for traders,” and stressed that Customs administrations on the continent must continue to work together in line with ECOWAS and AfCFTA obligations.
According to her, “Trade facilitation today requires more than national effort. It requires partnerships, joint capacity-building and a willingness to learn from one another. We are pleased that the Gambia Revenue Authority considers Nigeria a useful benchmark, and we are equally prepared to learn from your own experiences.”
She assured the delegation of the Service’s readiness to deepen cross-border cooperation, strengthen customs-to-customs relationships, and support practical steps that make trade easier for businesses across the region.
The visit comes barely two working days after the successful hosting of the maiden Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Summit in Abuja, which further positioned Nigeria as a leading voice in Customs modernisation and inter-agency collaboration on the continent.
Pelisa Matyumza, Trade Facilitation Technical Specialist and Accredited AEO Expert with the World Customs Organization, also addressed the meeting on Day One.
Representing the WCO’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, she said the mission was designed to help both countries align their AEO structures, improve implementation of global standards and strengthen readiness for future mutual recognition arrangements within ECOWAS.
Matyumza commended Nigeria for what she described as “remarkable advancements” in its AEO programme, noting that the country had already enrolled more than 60 corporate participants and now serves as a regional benchmark for other administrations.
She encouraged the Service to update the WCO’s Online AEO Compendium to reflect these achievements.
She explained that the three-day mission would focus on reviewing gaps in GRA’s AEO manual, refining its pilot plan, revising legislative drafts where necessary and updating its action plan to include clearer stakeholder-engagement structures and performance indicators.
She added that retaining institutional memory and critical skills will be vital for the long-term success of Gambia’s programme.
Speaking earlier, the team lead of the Gambian delegation and Manager, Trade Facilitation and International Cooperation at the GRA, Omar Bojang, said the mission was designed to study Nigeria’s AEO framework, learn from its early implementation experience and exchange ideas on emerging standards required under global trade agreements.
He described the relationship between both institutions as “long-standing and cordial,” and noted that Gambia had previously hosted Nigerian officers on training programmes.
He said, “We felt it necessary to come here and benchmark Nigeria’s best experience. Trade facilitation is not only a national responsibility; it is an obligation under ECOWAS, AfCFTA, WCO and WTO frameworks. If Nigeria is ahead, we must learn from that progress and share our own experiences as well.”
Bojang said the Gambia was among the first 25 countries to ratify the AfCFTA, adding that the country was ready to implement all measures required to make trade smoother across the continent.
“With the challenges Gambia faces at border crossings, initiatives like those taken by Nigeria will help us even more. Once such systems are adopted across the region, the barriers and delays that traders experience will significantly reduce.” He added.
On her part, the AEO Team Lead for the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller Nnena Awa, said the visit was a strong validation of the Service’s efforts, noting that Nigeria had become the first West African country to fully implement the AEO scheme.
She explained that the Service had incorporated key lessons from last year’s AEO conference in South Africa and from technical support missions conducted by the WCO, which helped refine the programme’s standard operating procedures.
She said, “The fact that another country is already coming to benchmark us shows we are doing something right. We are grateful for the confidence the WCO has placed in Nigeria, and we are committed to sustaining this momentum.”
AC Awa added that Nigeria would continue to work closely with neighbouring administrations to strengthen mutual recognition, enhance compliance, and maintain trust with legitimate traders.
The Gambian delegation have since engaged in technical sessions and tours with Nigeria’s AEO and Trade Facilitation teams, tour selected operational units and review implementation processes before concluding the visit on Thursday.
