Abuja, June 22, 2025 – Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have taken a significant step toward deeper regional integration and economic collaboration with a newly signed bilateral agreement aimed at advancing trade, infrastructure, and border management. The accord was inked in Abuja by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, alongside Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and their Beninese counterparts, Minister of Industry and Trade, Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Shegun Adjadi Bakari.
The signing ceremony, witnessed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Patrice Talon of Benin, signals renewed commitment from both nations to foster regulatory harmonisation, ease cross-border movement, and address shared economic and security challenges. Officials described the agreement as a strategic advancement in line with ECOWAS objectives and underpinned by the ideals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Under the agreement, Nigeria and Benin will collaborate on simplifying customs procedures, improving logistics networks, and strengthening cooperation on insecurity and smuggling. Both governments pledged that targeted initiatives deriving from the pact will benefit border communities, bolster private sector growth, and expand regional trade volumes.
President Tinubu affirmed that the accord marks “a new era of mutual trust, solidarity and shared prosperity,” while President Talon highlighted its role in reinforcing economic resilience and ensuring inclusive development within the subregion. They expressed confidence that the partnership would serve as a blueprint for cooperation across ECOWAS and beyond.
The bilateral framework is expected to enable faster implementation of joint infrastructure projects, including transport corridors and trade facilitation platforms, as well as coordinated regulatory reforms. Private sector observers say the move could unlock significant opportunities for investors and enhance competitiveness in regional markets.
With the signing concluded, attention now shifts to setting up intergovernmental technical committees to oversee the rollout of agreed reforms and ensure measurable impact on cross-border commerce, security, and industrial development.