How to speed up border crossings between Benin and Nigeria

The Seme-Krake border is a vital gateway between Nigeria and Benin, and by extension, the entire Lagos-Abidjan corridor — a central artery for trade in West Africa.

Organized at the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post (JBP), this consultative dialogue fostered inclusive discussions on the state of trade operations at this border and along the Cotonou-Badagry section on the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

It brought together key stakeholders from Benin and Nigeria, border regulatory agencies, business associations, local governments, traditional authorities, and representatives from the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the German development agency, GIZ.

Improving trade processes here can have a far-reaching impact on the flow of goods, especially agricultural products, which are essential to food security. The consultation underscored the challenges and opportunities at the Seme-Krake border crossing, and laid the groundwork for improving trade operations so that foods cross more easily.

Public-private dialogue brings trade facilitation solutions closer to ensure food security

This milestone concluded months of extensive research and consultations led by the International Trade Centre (ITC). The participants reviewed the assessment report of the Seme-Krake Border ecosystem, highlighting key issues along the Cotonou-Lagos section and proposed concrete solutions and recommendations:

• Implement a ‘green’ priority lane system for perishable goods
• Formalize the management of the flow of trucks. Currently the lack of traffic management creates operational inefficiencies, delays that particularly affect perishable foods.
• Strengthen the existing Joint Border Committee (JBC) to further enhance collaboration among officials in Benin and Nigeria.
• Upgrade the pedestrian passage to ensure smooth passage of traders on foot, including local community members and other travellers
• Strengthen the inclusivity of existing trade information and support systems for operators involved in agri-food trade

The meeting endorsed proposed recommendations on border processes, controls practices, capacities, border communities, and infrastructure. That consensus is instrumental in building synergies and a strong inclusive dialogue, setting a positive trajectory for trade facilitation in West Africa.

Moving fast from recommendation to actions

The consultation was conducted through the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) programme funded German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). ITC will now implement some of the key recommendations, in close partnership with all partners, to enhance food trade within West Africa.

The EAT programme makes small businesses in West Africa more competitive. It is part of the broader GIZ ECOWAS Agricultural Trade programme, funded by BMZ. EAT spearheads and scales up innovative trade facilitation solutions to make border crossings more efficient for food in West Africa.

About the project

Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the GIZ ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) Programme is part of the special initiative “Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems” and dedicated to strengthening regional integration through intra-regional agricultural trade in the ECOWAS region. GIZ, the leading German development agency, is the main implementing agency, with ITC as partner, collaborating with the ECOWAS Commission with the directorates responsible for agriculture and rural development, trade, customs, free movement of people, and the Gender Development Center. The programme's central objective is to enhance the capacity and services of regional and national organizations, with a particular emphasis on improving agri-food trade policies, sustainability, gender sensitivity, trade facilitation inclusivity, and active engagement with small businesses and professional associations in the sector.