Sèmè–Kraké | 11 September 2026
Penultimate Friday, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Customs Administration of the Republic of Benin have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cross-border trade and improving the efficiency of the Sèmè–Kraké corridor following a high-level engagement at the Joint Border Post.
The engagement brought together the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PSC(+) and the Director-General of Benin Customs, Col. Raouf Malehossou, alongside senior officials, government representatives, business leaders and other stakeholders along Lagos-Abdjan trade Corridor.
A major highlight was the unveiling and demonstration of Customs connectivity projects aimed at improving information exchange, cargoes clearance, reducing duplication of procedures and facilitating faster movement of legitimate goods across the Nigeria–Benin border.
TOWARDS A SMARTER AND SEAMLESS BORDER
In his welcome address, the Customs Area Controller, Sèmè Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila described the engagement as “a powerful demonstration of political will, shared vision, and unwavering commitment to rewriting the narrative of cross-border trade in West Africa.”
The Area Controller also commended the leadership of both Customs administrations for championing the integration and modernisation initiative and assured that the Sèmè Area Command was prepared to support its implementation.
In his speech, the CGC, Dr Adeniyi, noted that the Sèmè–Kraké border remains one of the region’s strategic economic corridors and stressed the need to transition towards a fully functional One Stop Border Post (OSBP) that eliminates procedural bottlenecks, reduces transit times and promotes transparency.
Adeniyi identified the Customs Declaration Exchange System (CDES) as a critical component of this transformation, explaining that it would enable Customs declarations lodged in Seme border (Nigeri) to be transmitted electronically to Benin Republic , reducing duplicated paperwork and allowing both administrations to exchange vital information in real time.
According to him, the system would ultimately help to harmonise classification and rules-of-origin information, before cargo arrives at the Joint Border Post.
In his words, “it replaces suspicion with data-driven trust.”
BENIN CUSTOMS DG COMMENDS CGC ADENIYI
The Director-General of Benin Customs, Col. Raouf Malehossou, commended the Comptroller-General, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his sustained commitment to strengthening Customs cooperation and facilitating legitimate trade between Nigeria and Benin.
He particularly acknowledged the CGC’s continued drive for innovation and improvement, noting that he had maintained contact with him since his appointment and had witnessed his determination to continually pursue greater results in Customs cooperation and trade facilitation.
The Director-General expressed the hope that the progress being achieved through the Nigeria–Benin partnership would eventually extend to other countries across the West African region, contributing to broader regional economic integration.
BACCIMA PRESIDENT APPLAUDS TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN REFORMS OF ADENIYI
The President of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, expressed the Chamber’s appreciation to the Comptroller-General for his tireless efforts towards improving trade facilitation, particularly through technology driving integration, which he noted was already yielding tangible results.
He commended the increasing use of digital systems to improve Customs operations, describing technology-driven connectivity as an important step towards reducing barriers and creating a more predictable environment for legitimate businesses and cross-border traders.
Drawing from the historical evolution of trade in the region, the BACCIMA President made a striking observation about the importance of the moment. Rather than dwelling on past arrangements that created barriers between neighbouring economies, he noted that the stakeholders were gathered to do the opposite—to remove those barriers and reconnect African economies.
He posited that
“In 1884-5, some European countries, / leaders sat down in Berlin, Germany to preside over the disentigration of African Nations Countries and economies, but today, the decisions are being reversed in this Hall by the Nigerian Comptroller General of Customs and the Director General of Benin Customs, I am happy to witness the integration of the two Nations economies. The Berlin meeting/ arrangements created barriers to trade and separated our economies, we gathered here today to do the opposite—to remove those barriers, reconnect our economies and reintegrate trade facilitation across Africa.”
He expressed appreciation to the leadership of both Customs administrations for their commitment to strengthening regional trade and expressed the hope that the Sèmè–Kraké initiative would eventually provide a model for wider Customs connectivity across West Africa and the African continent.
BACCIMA RECOGNISES CGC’S CONTRIBUTION
A significant moment of the engagement was the presentation of an award to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PSC(+) by the BACCIMA President, Alhaji Yahaya O. Idris on behalf of stakeholders.
The award recognised the CGC’s efforts towards Customs modernisation, trade facilitation and stronger collaboration with stakeholders within the border and maritime trade ecosystem.
The engagement also highlighted the importance of stronger coordination among Customs administrations, border agencies and the organised private sector to ensure that investments in technology and infrastructure translate into tangible benefits for traders, businesses and communities.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR CROSS-BORDER TRADE
The Sèmè–Kraké engagement represents a significant step in the continuing Nigeria–Benin Customs partnership.
The connectivity projects, coupled with the shared commitment of both administrations, point towards a more integrated, technology-driven and transparent border management system.
For BACCIMA, the development is particularly important to the economic future of Lagos-Abidjan trade routes and the wider trading blocks in Africa, Improved border processes, greater transparency and efficient movement of goods that can contribute significantly to expanding trade, investment and employment opportunities.
The Chamber therefore remains committed to constructive engagement with the Nigeria Customs Service, Benin Customs Administration, government institutions and other stakeholders in promoting seamless cross-border trade,q inclusive economic growth and sustainable business development.
BACCIMA — Expanding Business Frontiers.