Nigeria has taken a major step toward streamlining trade with the official launch of its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
“The launch of this programme is a key milestone in the modernization and efficiency drive of the Nigeria Customs Service, led by the Comptroller-General and his team,” said World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary-General, Ian Saunders.
AEO Pilot Success and Economic Vision
Before the official rollout, the NCS piloted the AEO programme with six economic operators, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) exporting finished products. The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s economic diversification by 2030, which prioritizes reducing reliance on oil, strengthening agricultural value chains, and boosting manufacturing competitiveness.
Insights from the pilot phase helped refine the AEO framework to accommodate various business models within Nigeria’s trade ecosystem.
Key Benefits and Future Expansion
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted the programme’s impact, noting a 66.9% reduction in clearance times for participating businesses. Additional benefits include:
- Faster customs clearance and reduced delays.
- Fewer physical inspections, improving efficiency.
- Lower operational costs for businesses engaged in international trade.
The six pilot companies have now been granted AEO status, and the NCS aims to expand programme adoption.
To achieve this, the NCS plans to enhance trade facilitation by leveraging technology, automating the AEO process, and introducing an AEO portal. The portal will provide businesses with streamlined access to resources, training, and application tools, empowering more companies to obtain AEO certification and unlock trade benefits.
