In a significant stride toward regional trade integration, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Benin Republic Customs Administration on Monday formally launched the SIGMAT (Système Interconnecté de Gestion des Marchandises en Transit) digital platform at the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post. The system, backed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is set to transform customs processes by digitalising and harmonising transit operations across borders in the region.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, described the launch as a “milestone” that reinforces regional economic collaboration and paves the way for faster, more transparent, and secure goods movement between both nations.
“This is more than just a technical implementation. It is a strategic step towards building a resilient trade ecosystem in West Africa,” Adeniyi declared.
SIGMAT, an ECOWAS-led project, enables real-time information exchange between customs administrations on goods in transit. Its objective is to minimise transit delays, curb customs fraud, enhance transparency, and foster a seamless trade environment among ECOWAS member states.
Already operational in Niger, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, SIGMAT now extends its digital infrastructure to Nigeria and Benin—the two major trade partners in West Africa.
Adeniyi explained that one of SIGMAT’s major functions is to increase the visibility of goods on transit routes, thereby reducing the diversion of cargo and improving customs revenue assurance.
“Our goal is to combat diversion and fraud along the Nigeria-Benin trade corridor. This platform enhances inter-agency coordination and helps stakeholders better understand the movement and status of cargo,” he said.
According to him, strengthening digital infrastructure at border posts would not only improve trade efficiency but also align Nigeria with international trade standards.
Despite its transformative potential, the implementation of SIGMAT hasn’t been without obstacles. The Customs boss noted that stakeholder education remains a key challenge.
“We will need to intensify robust training and sensitisation campaigns for our officers, traders, and partner agencies to ensure they understand the benefits and operations of SIGMAT,” Adeniyi said, noting the importance of cross-border stakeholder engagement.
Plans are already underway to expand the deployment of SIGMAT to additional border locations within Nigeria, including Idiroko and Jibia, among others.
The partnership also underscores deeper diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Benin. Adeniyi emphasized that enhanced bilateral technical cooperation is crucial for success.
“We will be strengthening communication mechanisms for timely engagements between both customs administrations. Collaboration with ECOWAS and GIZ for capacity-building remains central to our next steps,” he added.
Director-General of the Benin Republic Customs Administration, Adidjatou Zanouvi, commended the joint effort, describing it as a game-changer in the region’s customs modernisation drive.
“SIGMAT is a critical tool for fighting customs fraud and facilitating smoother, quicker movement of goods across our borders. Today’s event marks a new era in trade interoperability between Benin and Nigeria,” she stated.
She expressed confidence that SIGMAT would reduce paperwork, increase accountability, and contribute to a more investor-friendly business environment along the West African trade corridor.
With intra-African trade still accounting for less than 20 per cent of the continent’s overall trade volume, SIGMAT is expected to significantly close infrastructure and transparency gaps in customs operations. Its deployment reflects Nigeria’s broader ambition to align with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives and attract foreign direct investment by easing business processes.
Adeniyi urged ECOWAS members to draw lessons from Nigeria’s implementation to scale up adoption across the sub-region.
“Our efforts today are laying the groundwork for a more integrated, prosperous, and secure West Africa,” he concluded.
As Nigeria intensifies its digital economy transformation, the deployment of SIGMAT reinforces the government’s commitment to innovation-driven trade reforms and secure borders. Observers believe that if effectively implemented, the platform could enhance customs revenue, eliminate smuggling, and place Nigeria on a stronger footing within regional and global value chains.