20-year concession with Bergmans targets faster cargo clearance, smarter border operations and improved customs revenue across nearly 50 African countries…..
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has taken a major step toward reshaping trade across the continent after signing a 20-year concession agreement valued at $3.1 billion with Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited to modernise customs systems in participating African countries.
The agreement, signed in Abuja on Thursday, will drive the implementation of the AfCFTA Customs Modernisation Project, an ambitious initiative designed to digitise customs processes, strengthen border infrastructure and improve the movement of goods across Africa.
The latest development follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties just weeks ago, laying the foundation for a long-term collaboration aimed at overhauling customs administration in support of the continent’s free trade agenda.
AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, signed the agreement on behalf of the Secretariat, while Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman of Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited, signed for the company.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mene described the agreement as a landmark initiative that could significantly improve the way African countries manage customs operations and facilitate trade.
He explained that the project would provide the digital backbone needed to implement AfCFTA protocols on customs harmonisation and trade facilitation. According to him, the initiative is expected to help customs authorities streamline operations, strengthen revenue collection and make the movement of goods across borders more efficient without creating additional financial obligations for member states.
Mene revealed that nearly 50 African countries have already aligned with the initiative, describing the level of participation as a strong indication of the continent’s commitment to deeper economic integration.
He said the project supports AfCFTA’s broader vision of creating a single African market comprising approximately 1.3 billion people with a combined Gross Domestic Product estimated at $3.4 trillion.
Highlighting the inspiration behind the initiative, the AfCFTA Secretary-General pointed to Nigeria’s experience with customs modernisation, saying the success recorded through Bergmans’ technology solutions demonstrated how digital innovation can transform customs administration.
According to him, the Nigerian model improved cargo clearance processes, enhanced transparency and strengthened government revenue collection, providing the confidence to replicate similar reforms across Africa.
“The achievements recorded in Nigeria convinced us that this initiative can deliver similar results across Africa. This is an achievement that should make Nigerians and Africans proud,” Mene said.
For Bergmans, the agreement represents what the company describes as a long-term investment in the continent’s trade infrastructure.
Chairman of the company, Saleh Ahmadu, said Bergmans would fully finance the $3.1 billion project under the concession agreement while deploying both digital and physical customs infrastructure across participating countries.
He noted that the project would introduce advanced non-intrusive cargo inspection systems, integrated data centres and multilingual customs platforms capable of supporting Africa’s official languages.
“Our experience in Nigeria has achieved remarkable success and attracted international recognition. It has become a model for customs modernisation across Africa, and we are committed to delivering a world-class customs ecosystem that supports the continent’s economic integration,” Ahmadu stated.
Since trading officially commenced under the AfCFTA in January 2021, the agreement has been regarded as the world’s largest free trade area by the number of participating countries, bringing together 54 African nations under a single market.
The continental trade pact is designed to progressively eliminate tariffs, reduce non-tariff barriers and encourage the free movement of goods, services and investments across member states.
However, despite growing trade volumes, experts have consistently identified outdated customs procedures, fragmented border systems and lengthy cargo clearance processes as major obstacles preventing Africa from fully unlocking the benefits of the free trade agreement.
The Customs Modernisation Project is expected to tackle these challenges by harmonising customs operations, improving information sharing between customs authorities, strengthening risk management systems, accelerating cargo clearance and boosting government revenue, while helping reduce the overall cost of doing business across the continent.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could mark one of the most significant technology-driven reforms to Africa’s customs administration, providing a stronger foundation for intra-African trade and the long-term success of the AfCFTA.
