Nigeria Facilitates First Trade Shipment to Kenya Under AfCFTA

Nigeria Facilitates First Trade Shipment to Kenya Under AfCFTA

Apapa, Lagos – October 30, 2024*

In a historic move under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, Nigeria has facilitated its first shipment to Kenya, signaling a new chapter in intra-African trade. Lucky Fibres, a subsidiary of the Tolaram Group, led the way, shipping goods from Nigeria’s Apapa port to Mombasa, Kenya, with the full support of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

During a visit to the Apapa Area Command to oversee the shipment, Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Expert and Lead of Trade Enablement at the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, highlighted the collaborative efforts involved. "This milestone demonstrates the spirit of AfCFTA, and we are not doing it alone. I have informed the AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana and Kenya’s implementation committee about this shipment. Our goal is to strengthen intra-African trade through such cooperation," Olutayo stated.

He commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its role as the Designated Competent Authority (DCA) under AfCFTA, recognizing its commitment to making cross-border trade smooth and efficient. "The Customs Service has been outstanding, and when they hear of any trade issues, especially related to AfCFTA, they are always ready to support and facilitate, embodying true trade facilitation," he added.

Assistant Comptroller Olusola Salako, the releasing officer at Lilypond Export Command, Apapa, noted the Customs Service’s dedication to leveraging advanced technology to enable seamless trade within Africa. "We now operate under the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), aligning with the World Customs Organisation's standards to prioritize trade efficiency. The days of trade bottlenecks are behind us. With advanced training and dedicated officers for exports, we ensure that AfCFTA trade thrives,” Salako emphasized.

The Nigeria-Kenya shipment marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s journey toward economic integration and showcases Nigeria's commitment to making AfCFTA a success.