Nigeria, Benin Customs to partner in enhancing cross-border trade

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) said it has concluded plans to partner with the Republic of Benin Customs Administration so as to enhance cross-border trade between the two West African nations.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Ag. Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi expressed their commitment to partner with their Republic of Benin counterparts with the aid of technology to achieve their set goals.

Adeniyi made this known on Monday, September 11 while declaring open a two-day interactive session between the Nigeria Customs Service and Benin Republic Customs in Abuja.

The meeting aims to strengthen further the already existing bilateral trade ties and cooperation between the two countries which will pave the way for a comprehensive mechanism to harmonize the import prohibition lists of both Nigeria and Benin Republic.

Speaking further, the Ag. CGC appreciated the Benin Customs and Embassy of the country for expressing interest in collaborating with the Nigerian Customs Service to enhance trade facilitation.

“The Customs administration in both countries have a very good idea and technical know-how on what it means with trade; thus, we are back with a renewed enthusiasm to foster our relationship and make impact on our trade facilitation roadmap,” Adeniyi said.

“It is our hope that the program will address the issues of trade and set a roadmap for the implementation of new strategies that will enhance the economy and revenue in Nigeria and Benin Republic.

“Thus, our organizations need to come up with ideas that will address the issues of transit and other progressive measures.”

Adeniyi added that with the increasing global security challenges, the need for both customs administrations to work in synergy cannot be over-emphasized.

Also according to him, the intended mutual agreement between the Nigerian Customs and their counterparts from Benin Republic will boost their relationship to improve the economy of the two nations.