Nigeria, Benin Move to Link Customs Systems at Seme-Krake Border

By Adebola Muili

Nigeria and the Republic of Benin are set to deepen the digital integration of their customs operations at the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, with plans for real-time exchange of trade information and stronger joint security measures.

The development followed a joint assessment of the border on Friday, September 11, led by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Benin Customs, Col. Raouf Malehhossou Aboudou.

Adeniyi said the objective was to move the Seme-Krake facility beyond being two separate customs operations sharing the same location to a genuinely integrated border post supported by technology.

“Without interconnectivity, this is not a joint border post. It is two border posts sharing a car park,” he said.

According to him, the facility already has essential physical infrastructure, including traffic lanes, parking spaces, offices, a weighbridge and scanner housing, but technology was required to connect the operations of both countries and make the border more efficient.

Under the proposed arrangement, customs declarations, cargo information, risk profiles and enforcement alerts would be exchanged between Nigerian and Beninese authorities in real time.

The modernisation plan also includes restoring scanning operations, improving surveillance and lighting, strengthening access control and harmonising bilingual procedures to facilitate smoother movement of legitimate goods and travellers.

The two countries are also planning a permanent joint enforcement and intelligence mechanism to improve information sharing and coordination in tackling cross-border crimes.

The initiative is expected to complement efforts to make the border more responsive to the needs of small-scale traders, particularly women who operate along the Badagry-Seme corridor.

A dedicated facility for women traders is being introduced to simplify procedures for small consignments while providing access to information and channels for reporting alleged harassment, extortion and other forms of poor treatment.

Aboudou expressed the Benin Customs administration’s support for the initiative, pledging cooperation towards achieving a more integrated and efficient border operation.

The Seme Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, also assured that the command was prepared to support the planned transformation.

The proposed measures are expected to reduce delays at the border, improve transparency in customs operations and strengthen security along the Nigeria-Benin corridor.

The Seme-Krake border remains a major gateway for trade between Nigeria and Benin, with its modernisation expected to further support legitimate cross-border commerce and regional economic integration.