NAIROBI, October 29. /TASS/. Russia and Nigeria have concluded an agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, aimed at facilitating business operations in both countries, the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Nigeria, Togo, Mali, and Burkina Faso announced on its Telegram channel.

The document was signed on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow. According to the Trade Representation, the agreement will strengthen collaboration between the two nations' customs authorities and foster a more favorable environment for bilateral trade.

Valery Pikalev, Head of the Federal Customs Service of Russia, and Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, inked the document. This marks the first such agreement between the two states, with drafting efforts underway since 2023.

The agreement provides for information exchange required for customs control, joint efforts to combat customs offenses, and cooperation in professional training and development for specialists.

Furthermore, the sides discussed tariff preferences during the meeting. Nigeria benefits from the Eurasian Economic Union’s (EAEU) unified system of tariff preferences, meaning import duty rates on certain Nigerian goods are 25% lower than those established by the EAEU’s Common Customs Tariff.