Trade between Benin and Nigeria has gradually resumed since the reopening of land borders by the government of Muhammadu Buhari on December 16, 2020. In 8 months, 635,149 tonnes of agricultural products have passed between the two countries.

Sèmè Command of the Nigerian Customs Service said on September 17, 2021 that it processed around 635,149.23 tonnes of agricultural products between January and August 2021. He said exports reached a duty-paid value of 15.6 billion naira, i.e. 21.19 billion FCFA. Facing the Nigerian press, the customs area controller of the Sèmè zone command, Bello Mohammed Jibo, said that under the ECOWAS trade liberalization program, his service processed and released 1,314 trucks of goods. . Also, N718.83 million in revenue was collected during the period under review.

“The grand total for seizures and receipts during the reporting period is N1,605,256. It is pertinent to appreciate the maximum cooperation received from stakeholders, border communities, security agencies and the media”, indicated the customs area controller of the Sèmè zone command, Bello Mohammed Jibo. It must be said that pragmatic measures have been taken by the two States to ensure synergy between the security agencies operating at the common border post. In addition, to facilitate trade, Benin has taken up a number of challenges through its new trade policy.