CUSTOMS, AFREXIMBANK DEEPEN TALKS ON REGIONAL BORDER MODERNISATION

Customs, Afreximbank Deepen Talks on Regional Border Modernisation

By Babatunde Aremu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Customs administrations of Benin Republic and Cameroon, has intensified discussions with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on a regional border-modernisation programme aimed at facilitating trade and advancing the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The high-level working engagement, led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, was held at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on October 12, 2026.

The meeting followed a joint benchmarking mission to the Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe and technical assessments of the Mfum–Ekok and Sèmè–Kraké border corridors.

Representatives of the three Customs administrations, Afreximbank and technical partners reviewed the findings of the assessments, identified priority interventions and examined practical pathways towards an integrated regional border-modernisation programme.

Discussions focused on digital infrastructure, harmonised Customs procedures, secure data exchange and institutional capacity development, alongside investments in cargo scanners, weighbridges, access roads, electricity, connectivity, traffic management and modern border-processing facilities.

The meeting also considered Afreximbank’s potential participation in the next Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT), as well as progress towards regional and continental transit-guarantee arrangements.

A key component of the discussions was the 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 allow export information generated in one country to support advance preparation of import-manifest information in the receiving country, thereby reducing duplication and improving the predictability of cross-border transactions.

Under the proposed arrangement, the receiving Customs administration will retain responsibility for validating information, applying national requirements, conducting risk assessments and authorising cargo clearance.

However, further country-specific configuration, application programming interface integration, security assurance and pilot acceptance are required before the system can be deployed.

The July 2026 Beitbridge benchmarking mission also provided important lessons on modern border management, particularly the need to integrate traffic segmentation, pre-arrival processing, risk-based controls, cargo scanning, transit monitoring, electronic payments, information technology command centres, utilities, maintenance and effective governance.

At the Mfum–Ekok corridor, the assessment identified challenges including unreliable power supply, inadequate connectivity and IT equipment, cybersecurity concerns, technical support gaps, scanner commissioning and the need for coordinated single-stop processing.

Similarly, the Sèmè–Kraké corridor faces challenges involving incomplete joint procedures and live data exchange, non-functional cargo-scanning and weighing facilities, unreliable electricity, traffic congestion, inconsistent operating hours and unclear responsibilities for maintaining shared infrastructure.

Afreximbank has 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.

The bank also outlined the potential use of its Project Preparation Facility, while technical partners, TMP and Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited, indicated willingness in principle to consider self-financing the preparatory work.

No final project cost, lending commitment, borrower designation, financing arrangement or implementation contract was established at the meeting.

However, participants agreed on the need for direct site inspections, designated technical focal points, a one-, three- and six-month implementation roadmap and a dated action matrix to guide subsequent engagements.

The NCS said it remains committed to strengthening regional cooperation, modernising border operations and facilitating legitimate trade in line with AfCFTA objectives.

The Service said it would continue working with the Customs administrations of Benin and Cameroon, Afreximbank and relevant technical partners to advance the assessments, clarify project-preparation arrangements and develop sustainable solutions for the two 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 an integrated African trading environment.