Officials Have Met to Align Regional Transport Policies
Representatives from four West African nations gathered to discuss harmonizing customs and trade logistics.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in International Trade
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Officials from Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo met in Cotonou on September 15, 2026, to discuss a common road transport agreement. The meeting, organized by UNCTAD, sought to align national regulations to better facilitate the movement of goods across borders.
Why it matters
The initiative addresses persistent challenges for transporters, including fragmented customs procedures and multiple checkpoints that impede trade efficiency. By digitizing procedures and establishing a single transit guarantee, the project aims to stabilize regional supply chains.
The EU-funded COTONI project provides €18 million to support governance and trade across a 729-km route between Cotonou and the Niger border. Transporters have reported facing between 10 and 15 checkpoints in Niger, significantly higher than the 2.7 recorded in 2019.
The players
UNCTAD
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development promotes the integration of developing countries into the world economy.
European Union
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that is funding the COTONI project.
The details
Administrations are working to unify customs systems and digitize transit procedures to reduce administrative hurdles. The effort builds upon the May 2025 deployment of the SIGMAT system at Sèmè-Kraké and follows the roadmap established by the Niamey declaration in May 2023.
Timeline
2019: Observatory recorded 2.7 checkpoints per route.
May 2023: Niamey declaration roadmap adopted.
Q1 2024: Port of Cotonou imports fell 34%.
May 2025: SIGMAT deployed at Sèmè-Kraké.
September 15, 2026: Officials met in Cotonou to discuss agreement.
Market Dynamics
The meeting follows the framework established by the Niamey declaration roadmap to address transit bottlenecks. These efforts represent a push to stabilize regional trade flows against a backdrop of declining port activity.
Improved customs efficiency could lower operational costs for regional importers and logistics firms. Stakeholders should monitor whether these regulatory shifts lead to a recovery in trade volumes at major regional ports.
The takeaway
Harmonizing customs procedures is essential to reducing the high costs associated with regional road transit. Streamlining these corridors remains a critical factor for boosting trade competitiveness across West Africa.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in International Trade.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecofin Agency.
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