Nigeria Customs, Afreximbank Advance Talks on Regional Border Modernization
Written by: Queen Abayomi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified discussions with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Customs administrations of Benin Republic and Cameroon on plans to modernise key regional border corridors and improve cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The high-level working session, held in October 2026, followed a joint benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe in July and subsequent technical assessments of the Mfum-Ekok and Sèmè-Kraké border corridors.
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The engagement, led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, brought together representatives of the three Customs administrations, Afreximbank and technical partners to review findings from the assessments, identify critical infrastructure gaps and explore practical approaches to developing an integrated regional border-modernisation programme.
Discussions focused on improving digital infrastructure, harmonising Customs procedures, strengthening secure data exchange and building institutional capacity. Other priorities included investments in cargo scanners, weighbridges, access roads, electricity, internet connectivity, traffic management systems and modern border-processing facilities.
Participants also reviewed progress on the Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) and explored opportunities to advance regional and continental transit-guarantee arrangements.
A key area of discussion was the proposed Customs Declaration Exchange System, designed to improve information sharing between Customs administrations and reduce delays associated with cross-border transactions.
Under the proposed arrangement, export information generated in one country would be used to support the advance preparation of import-manifest information in the receiving country. The system is expected to reduce duplication and make cross-border trade more predictable, while leaving the receiving Customs administration responsible for validating information, enforcing national requirements, conducting risk assessments and authorising cargo clearance.
Although development and technical testing of the system have been undertaken, further country-specific configuration, application programming interface integration, security assurance and pilot acceptance are required before deployment.
The discussions also drew on lessons from the Beitbridge benchmarking mission, which highlighted the importance of treating modern border operations as an integrated system involving traffic management, pre-arrival processing, risk-based inspections, cargo scanning, transit monitoring, electronic payments, information technology command centres, reliable utilities and effective institutional coordination.
Technical assessments at the Mfum-Ekok border identified deficiencies in power supply, connectivity, information technology equipment, cybersecurity and technical support. Other concerns included the commissioning of scanning equipment and the need for better coordination of single-stop border processing.
At Sèmè-Kraké, the assessment identified gaps in joint operating procedures and real-time data exchange, alongside non-functional cargo-scanning and weighing facilities, unreliable electricity, traffic congestion and inconsistent operating hours. Unclear responsibilities for maintaining shared infrastructure were also identified as challenges requiring attention.
The findings reinforced the need to address immediate operational shortcomings while developing a properly assessed and costed long-term investment programme for the two border corridors.
To move the initiative forward, Afreximbank proposed a two-stage project-preparation process, 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 preparatory work would include transaction advisory services, legal due diligence, financial modelling and the identification of suitable financing and implementation 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 financing the preparatory work themselves.
However, no final project cost, lending commitment, borrower designation, financing arrangement or implementation contract was agreed upon during the discussions.
Participants instead agreed on the need for direct inspections of the sites, the appointment of designated technical focal points, a clear implementation roadmap covering one, three and six months, and a dated action matrix to guide subsequent engagements.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, modernising border operations and facilitating legitimate trade in line with the objectives of AfCFTA.
The Service said it would continue working with its counterparts in Benin Republic and Cameroon, Afreximbank and other technical partners to advance the required 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 contribute to the development of a more integrated African trading environment.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 18th, 2026
