The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Customs administrations of Benin Republic and Cameroon have intensified discussions with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on plans to modernise key regional border corridors to facilitate trade and strengthen cross-border efficiency.
The initiative is aimed at advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through improved Customs procedures, digital integration and modern border infrastructure.
The discussions took place on October 12, 2026, at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, following a joint benchmarking mission to Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe and technical assessments of the Mfum–Ekok and Sèmè–Kraké border corridors.
The engagement was led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and brought together representatives of the three Customs administrations, Afreximbank and technical partners to review assessment findings and identify priority interventions.
The proposed modernisation programme will combine digital infrastructure, harmonised Customs procedures, secure data exchange and institutional capacity development with investments in cargo scanners, weighbridges, access roads, electricity, connectivity, traffic management and modern border-processing facilities.
Participants also discussed Afreximbank’s potential involvement in the next Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) and progress towards regional and continental transit-guarantee arrangements.
A major component of the initiative is the proposed Customs Declaration Exchange System (CDES), which is designed to facilitate secure information exchange among Nigeria’s B’Odogwu platform, Benin’s Customs Webb and Cameroon’s CAMCIS.
The system is expected to enable export information from one country to support the advance preparation of import-manifest information in the receiving country, reducing duplication and improving the predictability of cross-border transactions.
However, the receiving Customs administration will retain responsibility for validating information, applying national requirements, conducting risk assessments and authorising clearance.
Although development and technical testing have been undertaken, further country-specific configuration, integration of application programming interfaces, security assurance and pilot acceptance are required before the system can be deployed.
The discussions also examined findings from the July 2026 benchmarking mission to Beitbridge and subsequent assessments of the two priority corridors.
The Beitbridge experience highlighted the importance of an integrated border-management system incorporating traffic segmentation, pre-arrival processing, risk-based controls, cargo scanning, transit monitoring, electronic payments, information technology command centres, utilities, maintenance and effective governance.
At Mfum–Ekok, the assessment identified deficiencies in reliable electricity supply, connectivity, information technology equipment, cybersecurity, technical support, scanner commissioning and coordinated single-stop processing.
Similarly, the Sèmè–Kraké corridor faces challenges, including incomplete joint procedures and live data exchange, non-functional cargo-scanning and weighing facilities, unreliable power supply, traffic congestion, inconsistent operating hours and unclear responsibilities for maintaining shared infrastructure.
The findings underscored the need to address immediate operational challenges while developing a properly assessed and costed long-term modernisation programme.
To move the initiative forward, Afreximbank proposed a two-stage approach, beginning with independent engineering assessments and investment-cost studies at the two border posts.
This would be followed by the preparation of separate bankable project packages for the Nigeria–Benin and Nigeria–Cameroon corridors.
The project-preparation process is expected to cover transaction advisory services, legal due diligence, financial modelling and the identification of appropriate implementation and financing arrangements.
Afreximbank also outlined the potential use of its Project Preparation Facility, while technical partners, TMP and Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited, expressed willingness in principle to consider self-financing the preparatory work.
However, no final project cost, lending commitment, borrower designation, financing arrangement or implementation contract was established at the meeting.
Participants agreed on the need for direct site inspections, designated technical focal points, a one-, three- and six-month implementation roadmap, and a dated action matrix to guide subsequent engagements.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, modernising border operations and facilitating legitimate trade in line with AfCFTA objectives.
The Service said it would continue engaging its counterparts in Benin and Cameroon, Afreximbank and relevant technical partners to advance the assessments, clarify project-preparation arrangements and develop sustainable solutions for the two border corridors.
The initiative is expected to support more efficient cross-border procedures, improve cargo visibility, strengthen coordinated border management and promote a more integrated African trading environment.
—ABDULLAHI MAIWADA, PhD
Deputy Comptroller of Customs
National Public Relations Officer
