Nigeria, Benin roll out digital system to boost cross-border trade

The Nigerian Customs Service and Benin Republic Customs have launched the Customs Declaration Exchange System (CDES) to ease cross-border trade between the two countries, according to Peoples Gazette, citing the News Agency of Nigeria.

Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi said the technology-enabled system, unveiled at a joint meeting in Seme-Krake, aims to ensure interconnectivity, coordinated enforcement and harmonised procedures between both agencies. He said the initiative would particularly benefit women, who make up over 70 per cent of informal cross-border traders and often face harassment and extortion.

Benin Customs Director-General Raouf Aboudou expressed readiness for the joint venture. Adeniyi said success would be measured by faster, single-clearance border crossings and improved coordination between officers on both sides.