President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the growing continental recognition of Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme, saying the country’s homegrown solutions can provide a model for strengthening trade integration across Africa.

Tinubu also commended the selection of a subsidiary of Nigerian-owned Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited for a 20-year, multi-billion-dollar AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project.

The project, which will be implemented through Bergmans’ subsidiary, AfriTrade CMP Limited, is expected to deploy digital and physical infrastructure to improve customs processes, cargo tracking, border management and trade-data exchange across participating African countries.

According to the President, the development demonstrates Nigeria’s capacity to build solutions that can serve the wider African market.

“What has been built and tested in Nigeria is now providing a model for the continent,” Tinubu said.

He described the project as an example of how African integration should work, with African institutions and businesses developing solutions to address challenges and unlock opportunities within the continent.

“Under our Nigeria First policy, we will continue to create opportunities for capable Nigerian businesses to compete at home, across Africa and globally,” the President said.

Tinubu further commended Bergmans, AfriTrade CMP Limited, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and other Nigerian professionals involved in the initiative.

Another Bergmans subsidiary, Trade Modernisation Project Limited, is implementing Nigeria’s homegrown customs modernisation programme.

The President said the recognition of Nigerian companies and professionals for the continental project validates the country’s ability to develop indigenous technology and infrastructure for Africa’s single market.

Meanwhile, AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, who was in Abuja for the agreement, visited the headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service to inspect Nigeria’s customs modernisation programme.

The development comes as African countries continue efforts to improve cross-border trade through digitalisation, efficient customs procedures and stronger trade-data systems under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.