NIGERIA, BENIN AND CAMEROON DEEPEN BORDER MODERNISATION DRIVE UNDER AfCFTA

NIGERIA, BENIN AND CAMEROON DEEPEN BORDER MODERNISATION DRIVE UNDER AfCFTA

Customs Services Agree on Trilateral Committee to Boost Regional Trade

ABUJA — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alongside customs authorities from Benin, Cameroon and Zimbabwe, has advanced efforts toward regional border modernisation following a five-day benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge and Chirundu border posts in Zimbabwe.

The mission, supported by Afreximbank, was undertaken to study global best practices in modern border management and facilitate trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

In a statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the visit demonstrated that successful border reforms are driven not only by infrastructure but also by coordinated institutions, digital integration, accountability and skilled personnel.

According to the statement, the delegation participated in technical sessions and conducted site tours of the Beitbridge Border Post, where they examined cargo processing systems, scanning operations, information and communication technology platforms, and coordinated border governance mechanisms.

The mission culminated in a joint communiqué identifying the Sèmè-Kraké and Mfum-Ekok corridors as priority routes for coordinated border management and the implementation of One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and reducing delays.

Customs leaders from Benin and Cameroon emphasised the importance of harmonised procedures and stronger regional cooperation in achieving seamless cross-border trade and economic integration.

A major outcome of the mission was the agreement by Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon to establish a Trilateral Strategic Steering Committee. The committee will drive harmonised customs procedures, digital interoperability, coordinated risk management and capacity-building initiatives across their shared trade corridors.

The development is expected to strengthen regional trade, improve border efficiency and support the broader objectives of AfCFTA in promoting economic integration across Africa.