Nigeria, Trade and Transport Reform Program Work Planning (2009-2010)

Food security in Nigeria is threatened by poor transportation, customs procedures, and policy. As a subcontractor to USAID’s Global Food Security Response Program, Nathan Associates is easing the movement of staple crops in Nigeria by improving logistics in certain transport corridors, advancing customs modernization, and providing training in trade policy formulation and reform.

Removing Obstacles to Smooth Transportation

To make transport in the Lagos-Kano-Niger corridor more efficient, our experts are proposing for urgent problems; quantifying the economic impact of chokepoints; initiating public-private dialogue on corridor development; and promoting private sector advocacy of reform—all using our scenario-based FastPath tool.

Modernizing Customs Operations

 To modernize the Nigeria Customs Service, our experts will strengthen the legal basis for customs modernization by first replacing the Customs and Excise Management Act of 1958 with legislation reflecting the RKC and SAFE Framework. They will then define the roles and responsibilities of government and businesses in facilitating trade and encourage adoption of best practices.

Trade Policy Training

Food security in Nigeria requires higher farm productivity and continued large-scale importing of food—but such importing should not depress farm income and investment. Avoiding a vicious cycle will require careful management of trade policy and policy impacts. In concert with the trade capacity building work of other international donors, Nathan Associates will focus training on the convergence of trade policy and food security, using local and private training and research resources as much as possible and facilitating local advocacy of transparent trade policies.