The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently launched the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT) pilot program, a digital platform aiming to standardise customs procedures across ECOWAS member states.
The launch ceremony was held this week at the ECOWAS Joint Border Post in Seme-Krake, and was attended by representatives from Benin Customs, the ECOWAS Commission, sister agencies, and other key stakeholders in the trade and transport sectors.
Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs, highlighted in his keynote address that the SIGMAT program embodies a long-standing aim for a regionally harmonised customs system.
"The idea has been conceived for over a decade, and we designed it to achieve objectives such as improve good visibility in transit, combat diversion & fraud along the Nigeria-Benin corridor, foster inter-agency coordination, and for stakeholders reduce any form of trade delay,” he said.
He added: "I want you to know that with the support of German Development Cooperation and the ECOWAS Commission, the implementation has already started, and deployments are in member states such as Abidjan, Togo, and Ghana."
Adeniyi also highlighted previously documented milestones, such as testing a real-life transit exchange, harmonising itineraries at the border station, and direct connectivity to the ECOWAS electronic hub to ensure collaborative customs operations.
He stated intentions to expand the SIGMAT system to additional critical border stations, including Idiroko and Chikanda.
To ensure effective implementation, the Adeniyi committed to continuous stakeholder engagement and robust capacity building.
He said: "Note that as we deploy this programme today, we plan to establish a task force responsible for recording its successes and challenges. After that, we will share lessons learnt with the ECOWAS SIGMAT Committee and show support to other members in the implementation journey.”
Adeniyi described the initiative as a “technical and diplomatic milestone,” showcasing regional solidarity and institutional leadership to transform trade practices to drive prosperity, security, and opportunity across West Africa.
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