Nigeria Customs, Afreximbank Move To Modernise Benin, Cameroon Border Corridors

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have intensified discussions on a regional border-modernisation programme targeting Nigeria’s border corridors with Benin Republic and Cameroon to facilitate cross-border trade and advance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The initiative is expected to improve cargo movement, strengthen information sharing among Customs administrations, reduce duplication in border procedures and enhance the efficiency of legitimate trade across the three countries.

The discussions took place at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, during a high-level working engagement led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, a statement issued by the Service said.

Representatives of the Customs administrations of Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon, Afreximbank and technical partners attended the meeting, which reviewed findings from a joint benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe and subsequent technical assessments of the Mfum–Ekok and Sèmè–Kraké border corridors.

The engagement focused on identifying priority infrastructure and operational improvements, harmonising Customs procedures, strengthening digital connectivity and exploring financing options for a coordinated regional border-modernisation programme.

The proposed interventions include cargo scanners, weighbridges, access roads, reliable electricity, improved internet connectivity, traffic-management systems and modern border-processing facilities, alongside investments in cybersecurity, staff capacity and secure data exchange.

A major component of the discussions was the proposed Customs Declaration Exchange System (CDES), designed to enable secure information exchange among Nigeria’s B’Odogwu platform, Benin’s Customs Webb and Cameroon’s CAMCIS.

The system is expected to allow export information generated in one country to support the advance preparation of import-manifest information in the receiving country, reducing repetitive documentation and making cross-border transactions more predictable.

However, the receiving Customs administration will retain responsibility for validating information, enforcing national requirements, conducting risk assessments and authorising cargo clearance.

Although development and technical testing of the system have been undertaken, further country-specific configuration, systems integration, security checks and pilot acceptance are required before it can be deployed.

The assessments also highlighted infrastructure and operational deficiencies at the two priority border corridors that must be addressed to achieve the programme’s objectives.

At the Mfum–Ekok border between Nigeria and Cameroon, the review identified gaps in reliable electricity supply, internet connectivity, information technology equipment, cybersecurity, technical support and the commissioning of cargo scanners. The assessment also pointed to the need for improved coordination of single-stop border processing.

At the Sèmè–Kraké border between Nigeria and Benin, challenges included incomplete joint operating procedures, limited live data exchange, non-functional cargo-scanning and weighing facilities, unreliable power supply, traffic congestion and inconsistent operating hours.

Unresolved responsibilities for maintaining shared infrastructure were also identified as an issue requiring attention.

Drawing lessons from the Beitbridge Border Post, the participants noted the importance of treating modern border facilities as integrated operational systems rather than stand-alone infrastructure projects.

The Zimbabwean border model demonstrated the value of traffic segmentation, pre-arrival processing, risk-based controls, cargo scanning, electronic payments, transit monitoring, information technology command centres and effective maintenance and governance arrangements.

To move the initiative forward, Afreximbank proposed a two-stage project-preparation process, 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 preparatory work would cover transaction advisory services, legal due diligence, financial modelling and the identification of suitable 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.

The meeting did not establish a final project cost, lending commitment, designated borrower, financing arrangement or implementation contract.

Participants, however, agreed on the need for direct site inspections, designated technical focal points, a clear one-, three- and six-month implementation roadmap and a dated action matrix to guide subsequent engagements.

The discussions also considered Afreximbank’s potential participation in the next Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT), as well as progress towards regional and continental transit-guarantee arrangements intended to facilitate the movement of goods across African borders.

The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to working with its counterparts in Benin and Cameroon, Afreximbank and technical partners to advance the required assessments and develop sustainable solutions for the two corridors.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen coordinated border management, improve cargo visibility and create more efficient cross-border procedures in support of AfCFTA’s ambition to deepen intra-African trade.