Unlocking Africa’s Potential Through Customs Reform

A wide range of restrictive practices, like customs and administrative entry procedures, make trade difficult, which can stifle the development agenda. Research shows that most African countries face the challenge of burdensome customs procedures underpinned by complex and poor customs administration and inefficient control of border processes. This chapter conducts a comparative analysis of the legal frameworks and policies enabling customs reforms and facilitating cross-border trade in Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, and Mauritius. These countries demonstrate the diverse developmental status of most African countries as either developing (Nigeria and Mauritius) or least developed (Liberia and Rwanda) countries. Further, Rwanda emphasises the landlocked qualities shared by sixteen African countries. As a small island State and developing nation, Mauritius also emphasises the geographical traits shared by five other African countries. This discussion aims to provide recommendations that, if considered or applied in other developing or least developed countries, could result in reforming legal policies and frameworks to facilitate cross-border trade. As a background, the chapter will examine the legal frameworks influencing trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and selected Regional Economic Communities (RECs), which, if adopted and implemented domestically, would aid domestic reforms and bring about a positive role in facilitating trade in Africa.