The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has expressed concerns that many traders at the Seme border corridor are not utilising the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) to benefit from duty-free goods.

The ECOWAS Commission stated that many traders operating along the Seme border corridor are not utilising the ETLS, which enables the export and import of goods originating within the subregion without the imposition of tariffs.

The Director of Trade, ECOWAS Commission, Kolawole Sofola, stated this yesterday during a dialogue on border trade in Badagry.

This is just as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other partners, have intensified efforts to improve cross-border trade.

Sofola informed that traders with valid passports could move to any ECOWAS country to reside or transact business, but he was worried that traders are not exploring the advantage.

“Another right available to traders is the freedom of movement within ECOWAS member states. Once they possess a valid passport, they can travel to any ECOWAS country to reside or conduct business. There is also an ongoing process to introduce a biometric ECOWAS identity card, which we expect Nigeria to adopt, enabling traders and residents to enjoy improved access for business activities and other purposes,” the ECOWAS representative said.

Sofola stressed the need for regular sensitisation and awareness on the best approaches, documentation and dispute resolution at the Seme Border.

Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr Akutah Pius, expressed optimism that the dialogue would further simplify border trade at Seme-Krake and increase the volume of legitimate trade.

Akutah thanked the GIZ and ECOWAS Commission for their strategic roles in organising the event, even as he also appreciated efforts at the Seme Border to simplify cross-border business.

The Director of Consumer Affairs Department, NSC, Ify Okolue, said the Council’s Border Information Centre (BIC) at Seme Border provides traders with accurate information on tariffs, documentation, standards and dispute resolution, reducing delays and trade costs.

Noting that BICs are already operational at Seme-Krake, Jibia-Maradi, Illela-Birnin Koni and Mfum-Nkot borders, she disclosed that the Idiroko BIC would become operational before the end of the second quarter of 2026.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr Bashir Adeniyi, assured traders a maximum of 40 hours for the processing of legitimate imports and exports via the Seme Border.

Adeniyi, who was represented by the Customs Area Controller, Seme Border Command, Wale Adenuga, pledged the NCS’s continuous support at the Seme Border towards facilitating legitimate trade.

He encouraged traders to visit Customs to seek information about their trade and be informed about the requisite documentation, duties and goods that are prohibited.

“We want traders and border residents to engage in legitimate trade. We do not tolerate illegitimate trade. We have engaged with our counterparts in Seme as well as other security agencies to ensure a seamless corridor for trade,” Adenuga said.