By Stella Odueme
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, enhancing operational efficiency and advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The initiative involves the Customs administrations of Nigeria, Benin Republic and Cameroon, with a focus on developing modern, integrated border facilities and harmonising Customs procedures across the three countries.
The high-level engagement, led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was held at Afreximbank's headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on October 12, 2026.
It followed a joint benchmarking mission to Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe and technical assessments of the Mfum–Ekok and Sèmè–Kraké border corridors.
A statement issued by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, on Sunday said the meeting brought together representatives of the three Customs administrations, Afreximbank and technical partners to review assessment findings and identify priority interventions.
The discussions focused on improving digital infrastructure, harmonising Customs procedures, ensuring secure data exchange and strengthening institutional capacity.
Participants also examined the need for investments in cargo scanners, weighbridges, access roads, electricity, connectivity, traffic management systems and modern border-processing facilities.
The meeting considered Afreximbank's potential participation in the next Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) and progress towards regional and continental transit-guarantee arrangements.
A major component of the engagement 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, built around a common data model, 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.
However, the receiving Customs administration will retain responsibility for validating information, applying national requirements, conducting risk assessments and authorising cargo clearance.
The statement noted that although development and technical testing of the system had been undertaken, further country-specific configuration, application programming interface integration, security assurance and pilot acceptance were required before deployment.
On the findings from the border assessments, the NCS said the July 2026 benchmarking mission to Beitbridge demonstrated the importance of treating modern border posts as integrated operational systems.
Such systems, it said, require effective traffic management, pre-arrival processing, risk-based controls, cargo scanning, transit monitoring, electronic payments, information technology command centres, reliable utilities, maintenance and effective governance.
At the Mfum–Ekok border corridor, the assessment identified deficiencies in dependable electricity supply, connectivity, information technology equipment, cybersecurity, technical support, scanner commissioning and coordinated single-stop processing.
Similarly, the Sèmè–Kraké corridor faces challenges, including incomplete joint procedures and live data exchange, non-functional cargo-scanning and weighing facilities, unreliable electricity, traffic congestion, inconsistent operating hours and unresolved responsibilities for maintaining shared infrastructure.
The findings highlighted the need to address immediate operational challenges alongside a properly assessed and costed long-term modernisation programme.
To advance the initiative, Afreximbank proposed a two-stage approach beginning with independent engineering assessments and investment-cost studies at the two border posts.
This would be followed by the development of separate bankable project packages for the Nigeria–Benin and Nigeria–Cameroon corridors.
The proposed project-preparation process would include 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 statement clarified that no final project cost, lending commitment, borrower designation, financing arrangement or implementation contract had been established.
However, participants 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 NCS reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, modernising border operations and facilitating legitimate trade in line with AfCFTA objectives.
Maiwada said the Service would continue engaging its counterparts in Benin and Cameroon, Afreximbank and relevant technical partners to advance the necessary assessments, clarify project-preparation arrangements and develop sustainable solutions for the two border corridors.
The initiative is expected to support more efficient cross-border procedures, improve cargo visibility, strengthen coordinated border management and promote an integrated African trading environment.