Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon Collaborate with Afreximbank on Trade

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alongside the customs administrations of Benin and Cameroon, is partnering with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on a regional border modernisation programme aimed at enhancing cross-border trade and supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This initiative addresses infrastructure gaps, improves customs procedures, and enhances cargo movement along the Nigeria-Benin and Nigeria-Cameroon corridors.

Discussions took place at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on October 12, 2026, led by Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi. The meeting included representatives from the customs administrations and technical partners to review assessment findings and identify priority interventions.

A key focus was the Customs Declarations Exchange System (CDES) for secure information exchange among the countries' digital customs platforms. The assessments revealed significant infrastructure deficiencies and operational challenges at the Mfum-Ekok and Sèmè-Kraké corridors, necessitating immediate operational improvements and a long-term modernisation programme.