MACN Presents Cost of Corruption Findings at the World Customs Organization

Corruption in maritime trade is not a side issue for Customs. It is a direct revenue risk.

This was at the heart of a recent discussion at the World Customs Organization Integrity Sub-Committee on Integrity in Domestic Revenue Mobilization, where Martin Benderson from the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network presented findings from MACN’s Cost of Corruption Study alongside the Nigerian Customs Service.

The numbers tell a clear story. When maritime corruption is addressed:
• Nigeria’s GDP increases by approximately USD 130 million annually
• Around 150,000 full-time equivalent jobs are generated across the supply chain
• Customs revenue from tariffs rises by USD 28 million per year, directly strengthening domestic resource mobilization

These are not abstract figures. They show what integrity delivers in practice, and why anti-corruption work in the maritime sector sits at the core of sustainable economic development globally.

A sincere thank you to the Nigerian Customs Service for their leadership, partnership, and commitment to advancing integrity. This collaboration is proof that collective action can translate transparency and accountability into measurable economic impact.

At MACN, this is exactly the kind of evidence-based advocacy we exist to drive, connecting industry, governments, and international bodies to make maritime trade cleaner and more equitable for everyone.