November 4, 2025
A new Nigeria Ghana partnership is being explored by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to strengthen intelligence sharing and enhance border control in the fight against illicit trade.
The initiative was discussed during a visit by NCS Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi to GRA Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong at the GRA headquarters in Accra on Monday.
Sarpong, represented by Brig.-Gen. Glover Annan, Commissioner of the Customs Division at GRA, called for stronger collaboration to harmonise customs procedures and align operations with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.
He noted that the partnership would promote integrity, excellence, and innovation in trade operations while curbing illicit activities that undermine economic growth.
Describing the visit as timely, Sarpong said it also aimed to build momentum for the upcoming Customs-Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) conference scheduled to hold in Abuja from Nov. 17 to 19.
C-PACT, an initiative of the NCS in collaboration with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and supported by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), seeks to redefine cross-border cooperation and trade facilitation across Africa.
“Your visit today reflects the strong and enduring bond between Ghana and Nigeria. Our nations are united by history, culture, and a shared vision to strengthen customs operations,” Sarpong said.
In his remarks, Adeniyi said that criminal networks were exploiting gaps in African customs systems, stressing the importance of the Nigeria, Ghana alliance to curb such activities.
He revealed plans to revisit the 2001 joint customs agreement between both countries to make it more responsive to current challenges and opportunities in the trade sector.
“It would be my wish that we take a second look at the document and breathe more life into it to identify further areas of collaboration,” he stated.
According to Adeniyi, close cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana customs administrations through intelligence exchange and capacity building will help counter cross-border crime and strengthen regional trade integrity.
He added that his visit was also to seek Ghana’s support for the C-PACT conference and discuss ways customs authorities could drive trade growth under AfCFTA.
“The mission is to ensure that customs plays its rightful role as a major promoter of AfCFTA. We want to boost intra-African trade, create jobs, and make trade a driver of prosperity for the people of Africa,” Adeniyi said.
He affirmed that the Nigeria Ghana collaboration would remain pivotal in building a secure, efficient, and prosperous African trade environment. Visit GMTNewsng for more news.
