*Photo:Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi*
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening regional and international partnerships to combat illicit trade, describing the menace as a growing threat to economic stability, public health, and national security across Africa.
The reaffirmation came during discussions at the EMEA Security 2026 Conference, held in Cape Town, South Africa,on 25 March 2026, where policymakers, enforcement agencies, and private-sector stakeholders gathered to advance strategies to tackle counterfeiting and illicit trade.
Speaking on the need for stronger partnerships, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Sanusi Saulawa, who represented the service during the conference, emphasised that addressing illicit trade requires a coordinated approach that goes beyond traditional border enforcement to include active collaboration with the private sector and other regulatory agencies.
According to him, the increasing sophistication of global supply chains and the rapid expansion of digital commerce have created new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit legitimate trade channels to move counterfeit goods, narcotics, illegal arms, and other prohibited items.
He noted that illicit trade is not merely a commercial concern but also a serious economic and humanitarian challenge, particularly in developing regions where counterfeit pharmaceuticals and substandard products continue to endanger lives.
“The Nigeria Customs Service recognises that effective border management requires collaboration, technology, and trust. No single agency can address the complexities of illicit trade alone,” Saulawa stated.
Saulawa further highlighted several operational reforms undertaken by the NCS to strengthen its enforcement capacity, including the adoption of intelligence-led risk management systems designed to identify high-risk consignments before they enter domestic markets.
He also pointed to the Service’s improved collaboration with other regulatory and enforcement agencies responsible for drug control, product standards, and consumer protection, noting that such partnerships have significantly strengthened joint operations against smuggling networks.
In addition, he said the Service has increased the deployment of scanning equipment, digital monitoring systems, and advanced cargo profiling tools to improve surveillance and reduce opportunities for illicit goods to infiltrate legitimate trade channels.
He further stressed the importance of engaging the private sector in combating illicit trade, noting that manufacturers, logistics operators, and importers possess valuable supply chain intelligence that can assist customs authorities in identifying suspicious trade patterns.
According to him, effective information sharing, improved supply chain transparency, and joint risk management between government agencies and businesses will play a critical role in preventing illicit goods from entering African markets.
He added that while seizures remain an important component of enforcement activities, long-term success will depend on preventing illegal goods from entering supply chains and dismantling the criminal networks that distribute them.
Industry experts at the conference noted that strengthened cooperation between governments and businesses across Africa could significantly reduce the impact of illicit trade while protecting legitimate commerce and improving revenue collection.
The conference, organised by ASIAS Security Group under the theme “Safeguarding Africa’s Future: Strengthening Regional Collaboration Against Illicit Trade,” brought together enforcement agencies, legal experts, and brand protection specialists to explore innovative solutions to the growing challenge.
Key industry and institutional partners that participated in the initiative included the Drinks Federation of South Africa (DFSA), intellectual property law firm Spoor & Fisher, authentication technology firm SCRIBOS, and security solutions provider EVOEQ, among others.