The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Benin Republic Customs Administration have officially launched a digital trade system called SIGMAT to modernise and harmonise customs processes between the two countries. This move is expected to simplify cross-border trade, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), by reducing delays and improving transparency.
SIGMAT, short for Système Interconnecté de Gestion des Marchandises en Transit, is an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) initiative. It creates a digital platform for customs offices across member states to share real-time information on goods in transit, enhancing efficiency and cutting down on fraud.
During the launch at the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, Nigeria's Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the development as a major milestone for regional trade integration. He noted that SIGMAT aims to increase visibility of goods in transit and reduce illegal practices like diversion and smuggling along the Nigeria-Benin trade corridor.
Read also,
The system has already been rolled out in other West African countries such as Niger, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Ghana, and Togo, with support from ECOWAS and the German development agency GIZ. Adeniyi emphasized that robust stakeholder training and engagement will be key to the platform's success and confirmed plans to expand SIGMAT to more border points.
Adidjatou Zanouvi, Director-General of Benin's Customs Administration, highlighted that the platform will not only improve trade flow but also combat cross-border fraud. Both countries agreed to strengthen bilateral communication and continue collaboration with ECOWAS and GIZ to enhance customs operations and support regional SMEs.
This digital shift is expected to improve trade facilitation, reduce costs, and open new market opportunities for small businesses operating across West Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment