Harboursandport.com: Cotonou, Benin Republic — August 2, 2025: In a major boost to West African integration, Nigeria and Benin Republic have formalized a joint trade framework designed to accelerate regional economic growth, eliminate cross-border hurdles, and modernize trade operations between the two nations.
The agreement emerged from a high-level summit at Benin’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, attended by government officials, Customs leaders, and trade experts.
It builds on earlier commitments made by Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Patrice Talon at the West African Economic Summit.
“This agreement signals strong political will from both countries to pursue a progressive and inclusive trade relationship,” declared Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole.
The framework focuses on: improving logistics and connectivity; creating jobs through expanded trade; enhancing transparency via shared data systems as well as implementing infrastructure upgrades at border posts
A formal Memorandum of Understanding, MoU is expected by early 2026, according to Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi. He emphasized Customs' role in ensuring seamless border operations and reducing red tape that hampers small and medium businesses.
Adeniyi also announced corridor-based trade routes and system connectivity already underway, with support from Benin’s Director-General of Customs, Mrs. Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi.
As part of the bilateral engagement, officials toured the Cotonou Port and Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, examining modernization strategies and reaffirming commitment to coordinated border management.
This milestone sets the stage for a new era of trade relations between Nigeria and Benin, grounded in shared prosperity, strategic cooperation, and technological advancement.
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