By Mariam Abeeb
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have intensified discussions on a regional border-modernisation programme aimed at improving cross-border trade and advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The discussions, held at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on October 12, 2026, brought together representatives of the Customs administrations of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Cameroon, alongside technical partners.
The engagement, led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, followed a joint benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe and technical assessments of the Mfum–Ekok and Sèmè–Kraké border corridors.
According to the NCS, the meeting reviewed findings from the assessment missions and explored priority interventions, including digital infrastructure, harmonised Customs procedures, secure data exchange and improved institutional capacity.
Other areas of focus included cargo scanners, weighbridges, access roads, electricity supply, connectivity, traffic management and modern border-processing facilities. Participants also discussed Afreximbank’s potential involvement in the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) and progress towards regional and continental transit-guarantee arrangements.
A major component of the discussions was the proposed Customs Declaration Exchange System (CDES), 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 generated in one country to support advance preparation of import-manifest information in the receiving country, reducing duplication and improving the predictability of cross-border transactions.
The NCS explained that the receiving Customs administration would retain responsibility for validating information, applying national requirements, conducting risk assessments and authorising cargo clearance. Although development and technical testing have been undertaken, further configuration, system integration, security checks and pilot acceptance are required before deployment.
The July 2026 benchmarking mission to Beitbridge highlighted the importance of an integrated approach to border management, incorporating traffic segmentation, pre-arrival processing, risk-based controls, cargo scanning, transit monitoring, electronic payments and effective infrastructure maintenance.
Assessments of the Mfum–Ekok corridor identified gaps in reliable electricity, connectivity, information technology equipment, cybersecurity, technical support and scanner commissioning, alongside challenges with coordinated single-stop processing.
At Sèmè–Kraké, the assessment identified 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.
To address the challenges, Afreximbank proposed a two-stage 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 project-preparation process would cover transaction advisory services, legal due diligence, financial modelling and the identification of appropriate financing and implementation arrangements.
The bank 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, the meeting did not establish a final project cost, lending commitment, designated borrower, financing arrangement or implementation contract.
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 NCS 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 working with its counterparts in Benin and Cameroon, Afreximbank and relevant technical partners to advance the assessments and clarify project-preparation arrangements.
It added that the initiative was expected to support more efficient cross-border procedures, improve cargo visibility, strengthen coordinated border management and contribute to an integrated African trading environment.
The statement was signed by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
