..As Freetown Hosts 32nd WCO West and Central Africa Customs Conference
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional modernisation and collective growth.
Speaking at the 32nd Conference of Directors-General of Customs for the West and Central Africa (WCA) Region in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Adeniyi emphasised that Nigeria’s leadership role is anchored on the spirit of unity and the shared progress of all member states.
Setting a collaborative tone for the high-level summit, which took place from Thursday, 7 May to Friday, 8 May 2026, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the WCA region’s unique tradition of inclusivity. He noted that the region’s strength lies in its “rotational inclusiveness,” in which every nation, regardless of size, takes a turn at the leadership baton.
“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. That is the truth of it, and that is the spirit in which I serve.”
Speaking on the longstanding spirit of unity within the WCO West and Central Africa Region, Adeniyi paid tribute to Sierra Leone’s hospitality and the region’s culture of rotational inclusiveness.
“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, and in the passing, we remind ourselves of who we are,” the Comptroller-General stated. “This is one of the most distinctive features of our regional family, and it is why our region carries a kind of cohesion that others quietly envy.”
The Comptroller-General credited the WCO Secretary-General for sustaining an inclusive modernisation agenda that ensures all regions remain actively represented in global Customs reforms. He also acknowledged the role of members of the WCO Policy Commission representing the West and Central Africa Region for advancing the region’s interests within international Customs decision-making platforms.
The event was officially declared open by the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, His Excellency Dr Julius Maada Bio, who underscored the importance of stronger regional collaboration in promoting trade facilitation, border security, and economic integration within West and Central Africa.
The theme of the conference, “A Customs Service that Protects Society Through its Vigilance and Commitment,” served as a call to action for digital transformation. Discussions centred on transitioning from reactive enforcement to proactive, intelligence-led protection.
Setting the tone for policy discussions at the Conference, Sierra Leone’s Honourable Minister of Finance described Customs administrations as the protective shield of the modern state. It unveiled the country’s modernisation agenda, which includes upgrading ASYCUDA World, implementing a Single Window Customs and Ports Community System, and introducing Product Tracing and Fiscal Integrity solutions for excisable goods.
Over two days of deliberations, delegates reviewed reports from the WCO Secretariat and the Regional Working Group on the Private Sector. The focus remained steadfast on creating uniform Customs procedures across borders, establishing real-time information sharing to combat illicit trade, and reviewing budgetary and audit matters to ensure administrative efficiency.
Digital transformation emerged as a central theme throughout the Conference, with delegates emphasising the importance of Single Window implementation, the ECOWAS SIGMAT framework for transit verification, and the operational implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Customs harmonisation, risk management, and data exchange. Participants agreed that while regional trade integration remains essential, effective border controls and coordinated intelligence mechanisms are equally necessary to combat illicit trade and transnational crimes.
The Conference further recognised that free trade must be supported by robust Customs systems capable of facilitating legitimate commerce while preventing abuse of regional trade corridors. These discussions aligned closely with the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing modernisation drive, particularly in automation, intelligence-led operations, and regional cooperation.
The Conference also witnessed the election of the Central African Republic as the new Vice Chair for the WCO West and Central Africa Region, succeeding Mali following the successful completion of its two-year tenure.
