West African Nations Targeted Road Transit Bottlenecks
Logistics operators moving goods across regional borders should watch for moves toward unified customs transit guarantees.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in International Trade
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Officials from Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo convened on September 15, 2026, to align national regulations and reduce fragmentation for transporters using the Cotonou-to-Niger corridor. This effort seeks to address long-standing customs hurdles that have slowed regional trade movement.
Why it matters
Reducing multiple checkpoints and fragmented procedures aims to lower the cost of doing business and restore transit volumes, which have suffered amid regional trade friction. For operators, regulatory harmonization could eventually lower transit times and the frequency of illicit payments.
The COTONI project covers a 729-km route supported by €18 million in EU funding, following a period where Port of Cotonou imports dropped 34% in Q1 2024. Transporters currently face between 10 to 15 checkpoints in Niger, a sharp increase from the 2.7 recorded in 2019.
The players
UNCTAD
The United Nations agency focused on integrating developing countries into the global economy through trade and investment policy.
European Union
A regional political and economic union that provides funding and support for infrastructure and governance development projects.
The details
The COTONI project facilitates trade by funding governance improvements and workshops intended to synchronize customs transit guarantees across the region. Authorities are working to expand the digitization of transit procedures, building on the May 2025 deployment of the SIGMAT system at the Sèmè-Kraké border. These digital tools are intended to replace fragmented paperwork and multiple physical inspections that increase operational costs for logistics firms.
Timeline
2019: Observatory recorded an average of 2.7 checkpoints per route.
May 2023: Niamey declaration roadmap was officially adopted.
Q1 2024: Port of Cotonou imports fell 34% and ship calls declined 24%.
May 2025: SIGMAT customs system was deployed at Sèmè-Kraké.
September 15, 2026: Officials met in Cotonou to discuss the agreement.
Market Landscape
The current push for regulatory alignment follows the framework established by the 2023 Niamey declaration roadmap. This effort marks an attempt to reverse recent declines in regional trade volume by addressing the systemic fragmentation that has historically plagued transit corridors.
Logistics operators should monitor the implementation of the single customs transit guarantee for shifts in their regional transit costs. Firms currently incurring illicit payments or time delays should track the rollout of digital customs systems to determine when to adjust their route planning.
The takeaway
The move toward a unified transit guarantee signals a potential reduction in the administrative friction that has hampered regional supply chains. Operators should monitor the integration of Benin and Niger's customs systems as a bellwether for potential improvements in crossing times at the Sèmè-Kraké border.
Further reading
For more on shifts in cross-border logistics and customs harmonization, visit our International Trade section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
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