Customs, Afreximbank explore funding for Seme-Krake, Mfum-Ekok Border upgrades

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) are exploring potential financing arrangements for the modernisation of the Sèmè–Kraké and Mfum–Ekok border corridors as part of efforts to improve cross-border trade and advance the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The proposed upgrades are expected to address infrastructure deficiencies, strengthen digital integration, improve cargo processing and promote more efficient border operations between Nigeria and its neighbours, Benin and Cameroon.

The initiative was discussed at a high-level meeting involving the Customs administrations of Nigeria, Benin and Cameroon, Afreximbank and technical partners at the bank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on October 12, 2026.

According to a statement by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the meeting was led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

The engagement followed a joint benchmarking mission to Beitbridge Border Post in Zimbabwe and technical assessments of the two priority border corridors, which identified infrastructure and operational gaps requiring urgent attention.

Afreximbank proposed a two-stage approach to advancing the projects, beginning with independent engineering assessments and investment-cost studies at Sèmè–Kraké and Mfum–Ekok.

The second stage would involve preparing separate bankable project packages for the Nigeria–Benin and Nigeria–Cameroon corridors, including transaction advisory services, legal due diligence, financial modelling and the identification of appropriate financing and implementation arrangements.

The bank also outlined the potential use of its Project Preparation Facility, while technical partners, TMP and Bergmans Security Consultants and Supplies Limited, expressed willingness in principle to consider financing the preparatory work themselves.

However, the discussions did not result in a final project cost, lending commitment, designated borrower, financing agreement or implementation contract.

Participants agreed on the need for direct site inspections, designated technical focal points and a one-, three- and six-month implementation roadmap supported by a dated action matrix to guide further engagement.

At the Sèmè–Kraké border, which connects Nigeria and Benin, the assessment identified gaps in joint operating procedures and real-time data exchange, alongside non-functional cargo scanners and weighing facilities, unreliable electricity, traffic congestion and inconsistent operating hours.

The assessment also highlighted unresolved responsibilities for maintaining shared infrastructure, raising concerns about the sustainability of border facilities and the coordination of operations between the two countries.

At Mfum–Ekok, linking Nigeria and Cameroon, identified challenges included inadequate power supply, unreliable connectivity, deficiencies in information technology equipment and cybersecurity, limited technical support, and delays in scanner commissioning.

The findings underscored the need for coordinated single-stop border processing and sustained investment in the infrastructure and technology required to support modern border management.

Drawing lessons from the July 2026 benchmarking mission to Beitbridge in Zimbabwe, the meeting also considered the importance of traffic segmentation, pre-arrival processing, risk-based inspections, transit monitoring, electronic payments, cargo scanning and effective maintenance systems.

Beyond physical infrastructure, participants examined the proposed Customs Declaration Exchange System (CDES), which is designed to facilitate secure information sharing among Nigeria’s B’Odogwu platform, Benin’s Customs Webb and Cameroon’s CAMCIS.

The system is expected to enable export information originating in one country to support advance preparation of import-manifest information in the receiving country, reducing duplication and improving the predictability of cross-border transactions.

The receiving Customs administration would, however, retain responsibility for validating information, applying national requirements, conducting risk assessments and authorising clearance.

Although development and technical testing have been undertaken, further configuration, system integration, security assurance and pilot acceptance are required before deployment.

The meeting also considered Afreximbank’s potential participation in the next Customs Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) and progress towards regional and continental transit-guarantee arrangements.

The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Customs administrations of Benin and Cameroon, Afreximbank and other technical partners to advance the proposed assessments and clarify project-preparation and financing arrangements.

The planned interventions are intended to strengthen coordinated border management, improve cargo visibility and facilitate legitimate trade across the two corridors in support of AfCFTA and broader regional economic integration.