The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division have agreed to deepen collaboration in combating illicit trade, enhancing cross-border security, and promoting legitimate commerce between both West African nations. This partnership, officials said, marks a renewed effort to curb smuggling, improve customs efficiency, and boost regional trade integration under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The agreement was reached during a high-level bilateral meeting held in Accra, Ghana, where senior customs officials from both countries explored ways to strengthen intelligence sharing, harmonise border operations, and align customs procedures to reduce trade bottlenecks.
Speaking at the meeting, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to closer cooperation with Ghana Customs, describing the partnership as critical to addressing transnational trade challenges. He noted that the growing volume of trade between Nigeria and Ghana demands coordinated border management to ensure transparency and compliance.
“Illicit trade has continued to undermine our economies, erode revenue, and threaten national security. The only way to effectively address these challenges is through shared intelligence, technology-driven surveillance, and harmonised enforcement operations. The Nigeria Customs Service is ready to work hand-in-hand with our Ghanaian counterparts to achieve this goal,” Adeniyi said.
He stressed that both nations share long-standing trade ties and must leverage that relationship to promote legitimate trade in line with regional and international standards. Adeniyi also revealed that the NCS is implementing advanced digital systems — such as the Nigeria Customs Modernisation Project — to automate border processes, reduce human interference, and facilitate faster clearance of goods.
On his part, the Commissioner of Customs for the Ghana Revenue Authority, Col. Kwadwo Damoah (rtd), commended the NCS for initiating renewed collaboration and emphasised that the partnership would not only help curb illicit trade but also enhance trade facilitation across West Africa.
“We recognise that the fight against smuggling, under-invoicing, and trade fraud cannot be won in isolation. Ghana and Nigeria must work as partners to protect our economies and ensure that cross-border trade remains transparent and beneficial to our people,” Damoah said.
He highlighted the need to harmonise customs valuation systems and improve inter-agency coordination at border points. According to him, aligning procedures will help reduce delays, prevent revenue leakages, and encourage cross-border investments.
Both countries agreed to establish a Joint Border Trade Task Force to monitor and disrupt illicit activities such as smuggling of petroleum products, contraband goods, fake pharmaceuticals, and human trafficking along shared corridors. The task force will also enhance patrol operations at key border posts, including Seme-Krake and Aflao, which are major trade routes for goods moving between Nigeria, Ghana, and other ECOWAS member states.
Adeniyi noted that the collaboration aligns with the broader goals of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and AfCFTA, which seek to eliminate trade barriers and promote economic integration across Africa. He said, “Our mission is to make sure that the benefits of regional trade are not hijacked by smugglers and economic saboteurs. With a united front, we can strengthen border integrity and improve the competitiveness of African trade.”
Industry experts have welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step toward addressing cross-border crimes that have long undermined trade in West Africa. Dr. Nana Boateng, a trade analyst based in Accra, observed that the porous nature of borders in the region has made illicit trade a persistent challenge, costing billions in lost revenue annually.
He said, “Collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana Customs is vital. These two countries are key trade gateways in West Africa. Their partnership will set the tone for a stronger customs network that can support the implementation of AfCFTA and ensure fair trade practices.”
The meeting also focused on strengthening capacity building and technical cooperation. Both customs administrations agreed to exchange personnel for training in risk management, data analytics, and modern enforcement strategies. The initiative will include sharing of digital tools to improve cargo profiling and enhance traceability of goods across borders.
Additionally, Adeniyi called for the establishment of a Customs Intelligence Exchange Hub between both nations, which would serve as a platform for real-time sharing of data on suspicious shipments, smuggling trends, and trade fraud patterns. According to him, intelligence-driven operations would drastically reduce illegal trade activities and improve revenue performance for both countries.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, both agencies pledged to uphold professionalism, transparency, and accountability in their border operations. They also promised to work closely with other regional bodies, including the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the West African Customs Administrations Modernisation Programme (WACAM), to strengthen institutional capacity.
The communiqué read in part: “Nigeria Customs Service and Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division) reaffirm their commitment to enhancing border security, promoting lawful trade, and deepening customs cooperation through technology adoption, capacity building, and intelligence sharing. The parties will continue to collaborate in areas of common interest to safeguard the economic prosperity of both nations.”
The renewed alliance comes amid rising concerns over cross-border crimes and illegal trade in petroleum products and counterfeit goods. Reports indicate that the West African region loses over $3 billion annually to smuggling and trade misinvoicing, with Nigeria and Ghana among the most affected.
Adeniyi concluded that the NCS remains committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s borders are secure while enabling legitimate businesses to thrive. “We will continue to build partnerships that strengthen our operations, enhance revenue collection, and protect the integrity of trade in our region,” he stated.
Similarly, Ghana’s Customs leadership expressed optimism that the renewed cooperation would foster greater economic ties and improve trust among border communities. Damoah noted that both nations stand to gain from a harmonised trade system that facilitates legal commerce and reduces illicit activities.
With the partnership now formalised, both customs agencies are expected to begin joint operations and technical meetings in the coming months, focusing on intelligence-led enforcement and trade facilitation frameworks designed to secure the Nigeria–Ghana trade corridor.
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