President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound pride in the growing continental recognition of Nigeria’s digital customs capabilities, following the selection of a Nigerian-owned firm’s subsidiary for a massive, multi-billion-dollar trade modernization initiative. AfriTrade CMP Limited, a subsidiary of Bergmans Security Consultant and Supplies Limited, has secured a historic 20-year contract to drive the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Customs Modernisation Project.
A Model for African Integration
The ambitious 20-year venture will see AfriTrade CMP Limited deploy state-of-the-art digital and physical infrastructure to revolutionize cross-border commerce. Key focus areas of the initiative include enhancing cargo tracking, upgrading border management systems, streamlining customs operations, and facilitating seamless trade-data exchange among participating nations across the continent.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu emphasized that this milestone validates Nigeria’s capacity to develop highly sophisticated, homegrown solutions capable of serving the broader African market. The President remarked that the technology tested and proven in Nigeria is now setting the standard for the entire continent, exemplifying how African integration should ideally function.
Expanding the “Nigeria First” Vision
Underlining his administration’s “Nigeria First” policy, President Tinubu pledged continued support for capable domestic enterprises, enabling them to compete successfully both locally and internationally. He commended Bergmans, its subsidiaries, the Nigeria Customs Service led by Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Nigerian professionals whose hard work earned this prestigious international trust.
The ‘B’Odogwu’ System: A Benchmark for Africa
The significance of the partnership was further highlighted during a visit by AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene to Abuja. Mene visited the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters to observe the operational mechanics of the Nigerian system. He highly praised B’Odogwu, Nigeria’s proprietary Unified Customs Management System, describing it as an exemplary model for Africa.
Notably, Mene revealed that while several non-African multinational corporations had bid for the project, the AfCFTA deliberately prioritized a homegrown African solution. This decision, he noted, underscores a commitment to celebrating and exporting African innovation and excellence.
First piloted in October 2024, the B’Odogwu platform has become a cornerstone of Nigeria’s modern customs strategy, powering critical functions such as non-intrusive inspections, risk management, and surveillance. The system is currently being integrated into the National Single Window a unified digital portal launched in March 2026 to optimize cross-border commerce.