The African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat has awarded a 20-year, $3.1 billion concession to Nigerian firm Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies to modernize customs systems across 50 member states. As part of the agreement, the company will finance and deploy a continent-wide platform designed to digitize customs processes, harmonize cross-border procedures, and provide real-time cargo tracking. AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene said outdated manual systems have fueled corruption and revenue losses through under- and over-invoicing. Bergmans plans to draw on experience from Nigeria’s customs modernization program, which Mene said contributed to a 90.4% increase in customs revenue. The project is intended to support AfCFTA’s goal of doubling intra-African trade by 2035.