Tinubu Seeks Stronger Border Efficiency to Drive Africa’s Economic Integration

President Bola Tinubu has called for a continent-wide effort to modernise border systems and eliminate market fragmentation across Africa. Declaring open the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) conference in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—said Africa must shift from talk to measurable actions at ports and land borders.

He stressed that efficient borders are essential for economies of scale, stronger bargaining power and greater resilience, noting that Nigeria is committed to building “an Africa that trades by design.” According to him, fragmented markets cannot support industrialisation or withstand global shocks, while integrated systems enable stronger supply chains and collective economic strength.

Tinubu highlighted reforms undertaken by his administration, including FX unification, removal of fuel subsidies, 24-hour port clearance, adoption of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System and renewed focus on non-oil exports. He explained that Nigerian institutions now operate in an aligned framework—Customs improving digital clearance, Ports Authority driving efficiency, and the CBN enabling local-currency settlements—to deliver seamless trade.

He pointed to early gains such as a projected rise in intra-African trade under AfCFTA, a 38 per cent jump in Nigeria’s non-oil exports to African markets in 2024, and reduced cargo clearance times due to digital systems. Tinubu announced that phase one of Nigeria’s National Single Window platform will launch in March 2026, with full deployment by December, cutting clearance time from 21 days to less than seven.

Other leaders also affirmed support for border and customs reforms. Finance Minister Wale Edun urged African countries to maintain momentum in removing trade barriers, while Industry and Investment Minister Jumoke Oduwole said tighter fiscal discipline is aiding regional integration. Global and regional partners—including the World Customs Organisation and Afreximbank—commended the reforms and pledged continued support.

Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, reported that Nigeria’s trade with other African nations reached N4.82 trillion in the first half of 2025, over N600 billion higher than the previous year—evidence, he said, that modernised customs systems and deliberate AfCFTA implementation are strengthening regional trade.

The inaugural C-PACT conference drew 464 participants from 28 countries, including customs chiefs, diplomats, private-sector leaders, government officials, NGOs and academics.