Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a move expected to significantly enhance regional commerce and unlock billions in trade potential, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have agreed to a landmark joint trade framework aimed at eliminating long-standing trade bottlenecks and accelerating economic integration between both countries.
The high-level agreement, reached at the Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances in Cotonou, marks a major business breakthrough for West Africa, particularly for logistics-dependent sectors and small and medium enterprises, SMEs, operating across the Nigeria-Benin corridor.
Speaking at the meeting, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole, described the deal as a “bold step forward” in positioning both economies for sustainable and inclusive growth.
“This agreement signals strong political will from both countries to pursue a progressive and inclusive trade relationship. Our joint commitment is to dismantle barriers, improve logistics, and ensure that trade becomes a tool for job creation and regional prosperity.”
According to her, the bilateral framework is built on four core pillars, trade facilitation, enforcement, data sharing, and infrastructure, which are being managed through dedicated technical working groups from both countries.
Mrs. Oduwole also referenced the earlier commitment made by Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Patrice Talon during the West African Economic Summit, stating that the current agreement is a product of technical directives arising from that presidential MoU.
Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, affirmed that the trade pact reflects the outcome of 48 hours of intense technical deliberations and provides a pragmatic path toward achieving seamless and secure trade across the borders.
“We’ve developed a joint framework that reflects our Presidents’ shared vision for economic growth,” Adeniyi said.
“We’re committed to removing trade barriers that hinder local businesses. New trade corridors have been identified, and connectivity between our systems has already been activated.”
He further disclosed that a more comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding, consolidating Saturday’s framework, will be formally signed in Q1 2026, paving the way for operational rollouts and digitalised customs coordination.
Adeniyi also announced plans to implement corridor-based solutions aimed at enhancing transit and transshipment trade, which are crucial for FMCG businesses, cross-border logistics firms, and agro-exporters reliant on regional distribution.
In a show of regional unity, the Director-General of Benin Customs, Mrs. Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi, joined Nigeria’s Customs delegation on a tour of the Port of Cotonou and the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post to evaluate port efficiency and coordinated border management.
Industry analysts say the deal could open up over $4 billion in annual trade flows between both countries if fully implemented, while also strengthening Nigeria’s hand in AfCFTA and ECOWAS-led trade reforms.
With formal policy actions underway, the Nigeria-Benin trade pact is poised to become a model for cross-border cooperation in Africa, setting the tone for a private-sector-driven, digitally enabled trade regime.
