Nigeria, Niger Customs partner to boost legitimate trade, ease border hardship

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, and the Nigerien Customs have agreed to strengthen cooperation and facilitate legitimate cross-border trade along the Kamba–Tungan Gyado corridor, amid disruptions to traditional regional trade routes.

The agreement followed a meeting between officials of both Customs administrations at the Kebbi Area Command headquarters on Thursday, August 27, 2026, where they discussed emerging challenges affecting trade and the economic wellbeing of communities on both sides of the border.

The meeting was attended by the Customs Area Controller, Kebbi Area Command, Comptroller Mahmoud Matawalle Ibrahim; Comptroller, Douanes du Dosso, Niger Republic, Abdoulaye Vincent; Chairman, Dendi Ganda and Sarkin Shikon Kamba, Mamuda Zarumai; Secretary-General, SNAT Gaya, Abubakar Inusa, among other stakeholders.

Speaking during the engagement, Vincent called for stronger collaboration between the two Customs administrations, particularly to facilitate legitimate trade through the Kamba corridor.

He said insecurity along the Burkina Faso and Togo routes, coupled with the prevailing diplomatic situation involving Benin Republic, had disrupted established trade patterns and placed additional economic pressure on border communities.

He therefore appealed for increased legitimate exports and imports through the Kamba corridor, saying greater trade activity would generate revenue for both countries while providing economic relief to communities along the route.

Responding, Comptroller Ibrahim welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to deepen cooperation with its Nigerien counterpart and create a more conducive environment for legitimate cross-border commerce.

He said the Command would intensify sensitisation of traders and other stakeholders on Customs procedures while encouraging them to make greater use of the Kamba corridor.

According to him, increased legitimate trade would not only improve revenue generation but also create employment opportunities and strengthen livelihoods in border communities.

The Kebbi Customs Area Controller also disclosed plans to visit the Nigerien Customs Command in Dosso to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and explore additional opportunities for trade facilitation.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for local stakeholders to underscore the importance of a more coordinated approach to cross-border commerce.

The Sarkin Shikon Kamba, Mamuda Zarumai, commended the Kebbi Customs Command for providing an enabling environment for legitimate business and demonstrating concern for the economic wellbeing of residents of Kamba and surrounding communities.

He expressed appreciation for the renewed engagement and offered prayers for the success of the Nigeria-Niger Customs collaboration.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the Kamba–Tungan Gyado corridor as a viable channel for legitimate regional trade while improving economic opportunities for border communities on both sides.