Nigeria, Benin seal trade deal to boost cross-border commerce  

In a significant move to deepen regional economic integration, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have agreed on a joint trade framework aimed at removing trade bottlenecks, enhancing logistics, and creating new economic opportunities across both nations.

The agreement was reached on Saturday, August 2, 2025, during a high-level bilateral meeting at the Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The session brought together top government officials, customs chiefs, and trade experts from both countries.

According to a statement released by the Nigeria Customs Service on Sunday, the framework marks a renewed commitment to collaboration between the two West African neighbours and is expected to usher in a new era of seamless cross-border trade.

Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole, described the agreement as a bold and strategic step forward for regional trade.

“This agreement signals strong political will from both sides.

“Our shared goal is to dismantle trade barriers, boost job creation, and position trade as a tool for inclusive economic growth,” she said.

Oduwole added that the framework builds on the political momentum generated by Presidents Bola Tinubu and Patrice Talon, who signed a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the recent West African Economic Summit.

She further revealed the establishment of four joint working groups focused on trade facilitation, enforcement, data sharing, and infrastructure development.

Speaking at the event, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, noted that the agreement is the result of intensive technical discussions between customs officials from both countries.

He confirmed that a formal MoU based on the new framework is expected to be signed in the first quarter of 2026.

“We’re implementing corridor-based trade solutions that will eliminate delays and support small businesses.

Our customs systems are already being connected to streamline cross-border processes,” Adeniyi stated.

He also expressed appreciation to his Beninese counterpart, Director-General Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi, for her support and for Benin’s recent endorsement of Nigeria’s leadership at the World Customs Organisation Council meeting in Kinshasa, DRC.

As part of the engagement, both delegations visited key trade infrastructure, including the Cotonou Port and the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, to assess operations and explore modernization opportunities.

The new trade framework is expected to serve as a model for regional cooperation, anchored on transparency, digital integration, and shared prosperity.