By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to regional Customs modernisation, digital transformation and collective economic growth as top Customs leaders from across West and Central Africa gathered in Freetown for the 32nd Conference of Directors-General of Customs of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) West and Central Africa Region.

Leading Nigeria’s delegation at the high-level summit held from May 7 to 8, 2026, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and Chairperson of the WCO Council, Adewale Adeniyi, declared that Nigeria’s leadership within the region would continue to be guided by unity, inclusiveness and shared regional progress.
Addressing delegates during the opening session, Adeniyi stressed that leadership within the WCO West and Central Africa Region belongs collectively to all member states rather than any individual nation.

“This chairmanship is not mine. It belongs to the region that sent me,” Adeniyi declared. “Anytime I take the chair, I take it on behalf of every administration represented in this hall.”

The Nigerian Customs boss praised the region’s long-standing culture of rotational inclusiveness, noting that every member nation, regardless of size or economic strength, is given the opportunity to lead and host regional engagements.

“Our region has a quiet but powerful tradition. Every member, big or small, takes its turn. The right to host is not negotiated. We pass the baton from one capital to the next,” he said.

The conference was officially declared open by Sierra Leone’s President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, who called for stronger regional cooperation in trade facilitation, border security and economic integration.
Under the theme, “A Customs Service that Protects Society Through its Vigilance and Commitment,” delegates focused on strengthening intelligence-led Customs operations, combating illicit trade and accelerating digital transformation across the region.

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance unveiled an ambitious Customs modernisation programme, including upgrades to the ASYCUDA World system, implementation of a Single Window Customs and Ports Community System, and the introduction of Product Tracing and Fiscal Integrity solutions for excisable goods.

Throughout the two-day conference, participating countries reviewed reports from the WCO Secretariat and regional private sector working groups, with discussions centred on harmonising Customs procedures, improving cross-border information sharing and enhancing operational efficiency.

Digital transformation emerged as a dominant theme, with delegates highlighting the importance of the ECOWAS SIGMAT framework, Single Window implementation and the operational impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Customs harmonisation and regional trade facilitation.

Participants agreed that while regional trade integration remains critical to economic growth, effective border controls and coordinated intelligence-sharing mechanisms are equally essential to tackling illicit trade, smuggling and transnational crimes.

The conference also aligned closely with Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing reforms in automation, intelligence-led enforcement and regional cooperation initiatives championed under Adeniyi’s leadership.

In a major outcome of the summit, the Central African Republic was elected as the new Vice Chair of the WCO West and Central Africa Region, succeeding Mali after the successful completion of its two-year tenure.