Nigeria Customs, Afreximbank Deepen Talks on Border Modernisation

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

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

The discussions, held at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on October 12, 2026, focused on improving border infrastructure, harmonising Customs procedures and strengthening digital information exchange across the three countries.

The engagement, led by Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, followed a benchmarking visit to Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe and technical assessments of the Mfum–Ekok and Sèmè–Kraké border corridors.

The initiative aligns with two key objectives of the AfCFTA, as outlined in Article 3 of the agreement establishing the continental trade area.

These include “create a single market for goods, services, facilitated by movement of persons” to deepen Africa’s economic integration, and **“enhance the competitiveness of the economies of State Parties within the continent and the global market.

The proposed modernisation programme is expected to address infrastructure gaps, improve cargo processing and reduce delays at the borders through investments in cargo scanners, weighbridges, access roads, electricity, internet connectivity and modern processing facilities.

Representatives of the three Customs administrations, Afreximbank and technical partners also examined plans to harmonise procedures, strengthen institutional capacity and introduce secure systems for exchanging trade information.

A major component of the discussions was the proposed Customs Declaration Exchange System (CDES), which is designed to connect Nigeria’s B’Odogwu platform with Benin’s Customs Webb and Cameroon’s CAMCIS.

The system would allow export information from one country to support the advance preparation of import documentation in the receiving country, reducing duplication and improving the predictability of cross-border transactions.

However, the receiving country’s Customs administration would retain responsibility for validating the information, conducting risk assessments and authorising clearance. Further technical integration, security checks and pilot acceptance are required before deployment.

Assessments of the two border corridors identified several operational challenges.

At Mfum–Ekok, the assessment highlighted unreliable electricity and internet connectivity, inadequate information technology equipment, cybersecurity concerns and delays in commissioning cargo scanners.

At Sèmè–Kraké, the challenges included incomplete joint operating procedures, limited live data exchange, non-functional cargo-scanning and weighing facilities, traffic congestion, inconsistent operating hours and unclear responsibilities for maintaining shared infrastructure.

The Beitbridge benchmarking mission highlighted the importance of coordinated border management, pre-arrival cargo processing, electronic payments, transit monitoring, risk-based controls and effective traffic management.

To advance the programme, Afreximbank proposed a two-stage approach, beginning with independent engineering assessments and cost studies at the two border posts, followed by the development of bankable investment proposals for the Nigeria–Benin and Nigeria–Cameroon corridors.

The proposed project-preparation process would cover financial modelling, legal due diligence, transaction advisory services and the identification of suitable financing and implementation arrangements.

Afreximbank also outlined the possible use of its Project Preparation Facility, while technical partners expressed willingness in principle to consider financing the preparatory work.

However, the meeting did not produce a final project cost, lending commitment, financing arrangement or implementation contract.

Participants agreed on the need for direct site inspections, designated technical focal points and a one-, three- and six-month implementation roadmap to guide further engagement.

The Nigeria Customs Service said it would continue working with its counterparts in Benin and Cameroon, Afreximbank and relevant technical partners to advance the assessments and develop sustainable solutions for the border corridors.

The proposed initiative is expected to strengthen regional trade integration, improve cargo visibility and facilitate legitimate trade, supporting the AfCFTA’s ambition of creating a more integrated and competitive African market.