Nigeria, Benin Republic Unlock Seamless Economic Trade Pact, Commence One Stop Digital Border Trade at Seme-Krake Post

Nigeria, Benin Republic Unlock Seamless Economic Trade Pact, Commence One Stop Digital Border Trade at Seme-Krake Post

The Nigeria Customs Service and its Benin Customs counterpart has commenced a strong inter-country synergy pact to unlock seamless cross border trade aimed at advancing economic growth in the West African Sub-Region.

Further solidification of the cross-border trade pact between Nigeria and Benin Republic came to the fore yesterday Friday September 11, 2026 at Seme-Krake Border post during an assessment meeting, where the two countries customs heads spoke about the activation of Seme-Krake a One-stop Border post, as well as dismantling the barriers that militate against movement of legitimate trade, importers and exporters.

This move is expected to simplify cross border trade for the economic growth and benefits of both countries.

However, at the assessment summit, the imminent modernization of the border trade processes was given huge strength as both customs chiefs, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Director General of the Benin Republic agreed that trade along the corridor must be simplified for the benefit of the sub-region.

CGC Adeniyi in his address, stated that the initiative would focus on improving border processes, assessing operational readiness as well as deploying technology to help secure dual operations between the two customs administrations.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the economic significance of the crossing made efficiency at the border critical to the competitiveness of businesses across West Africa, particularly as Seme-Krake serves as a major gateway on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor.

“The corridor handles about 70 percent of the sub-region’s transit trade and the Seme-Krake crossing ranks among the busiest land borders in West Africa, making delays at the gateway a direct cost to businesses, consumers and regional economies.

“Every hour lost at this gate is multiplied across thousands of consignments and tens of thousands of travelers, and is paid for in the price of goods in markets from Cotonou to Lagos,” Adeniyi said.

The Nigeria Customs chief also said that the border operates a complete business circle of 24-hour a day throughout the year, stressing that inefficiencies at such a critical trade gateway have consequences far beyond the immediate border community.

While noting that the two customs administrations currently operate from the same facility, Adeniyi said their systems are yet to achieve seamless real-time information exchange.

Adeniyi explained that risk assessments and enforcement alerts generated by one administration would also be transmitted to its counterpart while the information remained operationally useful.

He said, beyond technology and cargo clearance, the modernisation programme must also take into account the large population of informal traders who depend on the corridor for their livelihoods, particularly women.

He also pointed that women generally account for more than 70 percent of informal cross-border traders across Africa, adding that the pattern was particularly significant along the Nigeria-Benin trade corridor.

Adeniyi explained that about 22 percent of Benin’s informal exports are destined for Nigeria, while informal trade is estimated to account for about one-fifth of economic activity in Nigeria and a substantially higher proportion in Benin.

He however commended the Benin Customs administration for its confidence in Nigeria Customs and its support for efforts to strengthen the One-Stop Border Post.

In his earlier address, the Director General of Benin Customs, Raouf Malehossou commended Nigeria for championing deeper customs and trade integration, describing stronger regional cooperation as essential to unlocking economic growth within the sub-region.

He praised the Adeniyi, Nigeria Customs Chief, and the World’s Customs Number One Chairman for his vibrant leadership role in Ensuring advancement of customs operations in West African Sub-Region, Africa and the world in general. He also pointed out that some of his advice has positively assisted the Benin Republic Customs.