C- PACT 2026: Nigeria Customs Set to Host CGC Conference in Abuja.
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, is set to host the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Conference from December 7 to 8, 2026, and the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade, C-PACT, 2026 Conference from December 9 to 11 in Abuja, to strengthen border security, facilitate legitimate trade and promote African economic integration.
According to a statement by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the CGC Conference will focus on reviewing Customs modernisation reforms, strengthening national security and improving trade facilitation.
The conference, themed, “Securing Borders, Enabling Trade: A Customs Commitment to Safer Communities,” will bring together government officials, Customs leadership and institutional partners to assess reform outcomes and identify areas for improvement.
Discussions will cover digital Customs operations, intelligence-led enforcement, inter-agency collaboration and the role of trusted trade corridors in promoting seamless transactions. The programme as stated in the statement, will also feature the presentation of Authorised Economic Operator, AEO, certificates and a review of commitments made in 2025 and achievements recorded in 2026.
The second day will focus on coordinated responses to border threats, with the participation of security and enforcement agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
The C-PACT 2026 Conference, themed “One Border, Interconnected Systems: Advancing Customs Cooperation through One-Stop Border Posts,” will extend the discussions to the continental level, bringing together African Customs administrations, policymakers, regional economic communities, development partners and private-sector representatives.
The conference will address challenges affecting cross-border trade, including fragmented procedures, duplicated controls, limited information exchange and incompatible digital systems.
It will also explore how One Stop Border Posts, harmonised procedures, coordinated risk management and interconnected Customs platforms can reduce delays, lower trade costs and improve the movement of goods across African trade corridors.
The programme will feature policy discussions, technical sessions, technology demonstrations and presentations on operational experiences from existing and emerging One-Stop Border Posts. Participants will also examine the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area initiatives, including the Integrated Transit System, Single Bond Guarantee Scheme and Electronic Certificate of Origin system.
The NCS said the conferences are expected to produce practical recommendations, strengthen institutional partnerships and develop a roadmap for digitally connected border systems across Africa.
The Service, under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed its commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area’s objectives of building an integrated and competitive African market.