BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alongside the Customs administrations of the Republic of Benin and the Republic of Cameroon, has intensified efforts to address operational challenges at key regional border crossings as part of moves to facilitate trade and advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The initiative took centre stage during a high-level working engagement with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) at the bank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on October 12, 2026, where officials examined practical measures to improve border infrastructure, strengthen digital information exchange and streamline customs procedures across the three countries.
According to a press statement issued by the Nigeria Customs Service and made available to journalists by the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the meeting followed a joint benchmarking mission to Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe and technical assessments of the Mfum–Ekok and Sèmè–Kraké border corridors.
The engagement, led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, brought together representatives of the three Customs administrations, Afreximbank and technical partners to review the findings of the assessment missions and identify priority interventions for a proposed regional border-modernisation programme.
The discussions centred on addressing infrastructure deficiencies and administrative bottlenecks that impede the smooth movement of goods across borders. Proposed interventions include improved electricity supply, reliable internet connectivity, cargo scanners, weighbridges, access roads, modern border-processing facilities and more effective traffic-management systems.
Participants also examined the need for harmonised Customs procedures, secure information exchange, stronger institutional capacity and coordinated border management to reduce delays, improve cargo visibility and make cross-border transactions more predictable.
A major component of the discussions was the proposed Customs Declaration Exchange System (CDES), a digital initiative designed to facilitate secure information sharing among Nigeria’s B’Odogwu platform, Benin’s Customs Webb and Cameroon’s CAMCIS.
The system is intended to enable export information generated in one country to support the advance preparation of import-manifest information in the receiving country. This approach is expected to reduce repetitive data entry, improve information accuracy and help Customs authorities prepare for incoming cargo before its arrival.
However, the receiving country’s Customs administration will retain responsibility for validating submitted information, applying its national regulations, conducting risk assessments and authorising the clearance of goods.
Although development and technical testing of the system have been undertaken, further country-specific configuration, integration of application programming interfaces, security assurance and pilot acceptance are still required before deployment.
The meeting also reviewed lessons from the July 2026 benchmarking mission to Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe, where participants examined operational practices relevant to improving efficiency at African border crossings.
The experience highlighted the importance of an integrated approach to border management, combining traffic segmentation, pre-arrival processing, risk-based inspections, cargo scanning, transit monitoring, electronic payments, information technology command centres, reliable utilities and effective maintenance arrangements.
Assessments at the Mfum–Ekok corridor, linking Nigeria and Cameroon, identified shortcomings in electricity supply, internet connectivity, information technology equipment, cybersecurity and technical support. The assessment also highlighted the need to complete scanner commissioning and improve coordination for single-stop border processing.
At the Sèmè–Kraké corridor between Nigeria and Benin, the review identified challenges involving incomplete joint operating procedures, limited live data exchange, non-functional cargo-scanning and weighing facilities, unreliable electricity and traffic congestion.
Other concerns included inconsistent operating hours and unresolved responsibilities for maintaining shared infrastructure.
The findings point to the need for immediate operational improvements alongside a comprehensive, properly assessed and costed modernisation programme capable of delivering sustainable results.
To move the initiative forward, Afreximbank outlined a proposed two-stage project-preparation approach, beginning with independent engineering assessments and investment-cost studies at the two border posts.
The second stage would involve developing separate bankable project packages for the Nigeria–Benin and Nigeria–Cameroon corridors.
The proposed preparation process would include 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 to support the process, while technical partners, TMP and Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited, expressed willingness in principle to consider self-financing the preparatory work.
However, the engagement did not establish a final project cost, lending commitment, designated borrower, financing arrangement or implementation contract.
Participants instead emphasised the importance of conducting direct site inspections, appointing designated technical focal points and developing a clear implementation roadmap covering the first, third and sixth months, supported by a dated action matrix to track progress.
The proposed programme is expected to provide a framework for addressing infrastructure gaps, strengthening digital integration and improving coordination among the Customs administrations, subject to the outcome of further assessments and the conclusion of the necessary project-preparation and financing arrangements.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation, border modernisation and the facilitation of legitimate trade in line with the objectives of AfCFTA.
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 practical and sustainable solutions for the two border corridors.
The broader objective is to promote more efficient cross-border procedures, strengthen cargo monitoring, improve coordinated border management and support the development of an integrated African trading environment.
