Customs AEO Technical Working Group Visits Huawei Technology SA

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Technical Working Group (TWG) on 19 September 2024 embarked on a five-day benchmarking mission with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to Huawei Technology, Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to Chief Superintendent of Customs Nnenna Awa, the NCS AEO Lead in Nigeria, benchmarking exercise is part of the Accelerated Trade Facilitation Programme (ATFP) sponsored by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), UKaid, and supported by SARS to assist the NCS in the implementation of the AEO Programme.

During the meeting, Penny Bologo, SARS AEO Lead, called for increased collaboration with the NCS to facilitate the effective implementation of the AEO Programme in Nigeria. She emphasised that both Nigeria and South Africa play significant roles in global trade, making this partnership crucial.

“The WCO Safe Framework of Standards, Pillar 1 (Customs-to-Customs) and Pillar 2 (Customs-to-Business), encourages partnerships between customs authorities and traders,” Bologo said.

While welcoming the NCS AEO Technical Working Group, Amy of Huawei Technology South Africa called for continued support from both SARS and the NCS in facilitating global trade through enhanced customs compliance mechanisms and greater participation in the AEO Programme.

Similarly, Austin Ijeh, Customs Compliance Officer at Huawei Nigeria, expressed gratitude to the NCS for its leadership in promoting the ease of doing business in Nigeria. He also commended the NCS for the ongoing support Huawei continues to receive in Nigeria.

In their separate remarks, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdulkareem Musa and Olufemi Kukoyi urged traders to comply with customs regulations, noting that the success of the AEO Programme relies heavily on traders’ compliance.

They in addition commended the Comptroller General of Customs for his efforts at promoting the facilitation of trade in Nigeria through the AEO and for encouraging other trade facilitation tools.

The meeting afforded the NCS AEO working group the opportunity to study how SARS administers AEO benefits to Huawei Technology, which is one of the AEO pilotees in Nigeria.