Nigeria, Benin integrate Customs systems to cut border delays

Nigeria and Benin Republic are collaborating to connect their Customs systems, aiming to minimize delays at the Sèmè-Kraké border and streamline the flow of legitimate goods and travelers through the Nigeria-Benin trade corridor. The proposed real-time data sharing will enable the two Customs administrations to exchange declarations, manifests, transit information, risk profiles, and enforcement alerts, addressing a significant system barrier at the One-Stop Border Post.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, revealed this during a joint evaluation of the Sèmè-Kraké One-Stop Border Post. Adeniyi noted that while the two administrations operate under the same roof, they lack an integrated platform for real-time information exchange. He explained that the Nigeria Customs Service has proposed integrating the two administrations, adding that the development is already underway based on the regional transit experience of both countries.

This system will allow a declaration filed on one side of the border to be accessible to the other administration in real-time, enabling transit consignments to be tracked from origin to destination, and transmitting risk profiles and enforcement alerts generated by one administration to its counterpart while still operationally relevant.

Adeniyi emphasized that the initiative is part of efforts to evaluate the operational readiness of the One-Stop Border Post, review border processes and facilities, and enhance secure cross-border cooperation. He described the Sèmè-Kraké crossing as a critical trade gateway, highlighting its crucial role in the sub-region's transit trade and its status as one of the busiest land borders in West Africa, operating continuously throughout the year.

Adeniyi warned that delays at the border have a cascading effect, multiplying across thousands of consignments and travelers, ultimately impacting the prices of goods in regional markets. He underlined the significance of informal cross-border trade, particularly the substantial role women play, accounting for over 70% of informal cross-border traders across Africa.

The Director-General of Benin Customs, Raouf Malehossou Aboudou, praised Adeniyi's efforts to enhance Customs cooperation and cross-border trade between the two nations. Aboudou highlighted that a joint One-Stop Border Post would alleviate the stress associated with cross-border movement for traders, travelers, and other stakeholders, improving Customs efficiency.

He also emphasized that closer integration of the two administrations would promote coordinated risk management, a fundamental principle of the World Customs Organization.