Bribery and corruption stymie growth

Nigeria has an $80 million customs revenue target for this year, according to Prince Olayiwola Shittu, president of the Nigerian licensed customs agents. “That is a lot of money to raise through customs duties,” he said. “As long as governments only care about the bottom line we are not going to move cargo into and out of countries faster or at a more reasonable rate.” Shittu said modernisation of customs in many African countries was still happening at a very slow pace. “As long as the human interface exists we are running the risk of corruption and bribery. Less human intervention also allows for a much more seamless process that will ultimately see cargo moved faster.”