The Republic of Benin and Nigeria have agreed to a cooperative trade framework that aims to promote regional integration, boost economic growth, and eliminate trade barriers. Government officials, Customs leaders, and trade experts met on August 2, 2025, in the Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and came to an agreement.
Building upon a recent Memorandum of Understanding signed by Presidents Bola Tinubu and Patrice Talon, Nigeria’s Trade Minister Jumoke Oduwole, praised the agreement as a significant step in West Africa’s economic strategy.
She stated, “Our joint commitment is to dismantle barriers, improve logistics, and ensure that trade becomes a tool for job creation and regional prosperity. The heads of Customs of both nations have demonstrated commendable synergy, which we are expanding through four thematic working groups covering trade facilitation, enforcement, data sharing, and infrastructure,”
Plans to use corridor-based solutions to facilitate transit and cut down on delays for small firms were verified by Customs Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi.
By early 2026, a formal Memorandum of Understanding is anticipated. At the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, the CGC also thanked his Beninese counterpart, Director-General of Benin Customs, Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi, for her steadfast support and the nation’s endorsement of Nigeria’s leadership.
To evaluate modernization efforts, both countries also visited the Seme-Krake Border Post and Cotonou Port. Through shared prosperity, technology, and transparency, the alliance aims to improve trade relations.
It is anticipated that the deal would usher in a new era of commercial ties between Nigeria and Benin that is based on openness, technology, and reciprocal development.
