Nigeria and the Republic of Benin have begun implementing the economic cooperation agreement signed during the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) held in Abuja in June 2025.
At a two-day follow-up meeting held from August 1–2 in Cotonou, officials from both countries outlined steps to operationalize the agreement. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the initiative aligns with the goals of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership in initiating the regional summit.
Describing the engagement as timely, Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and commercial ties binding the two nations. She also congratulated the Republic of Benin on its 65th Independence anniversary, noting the significance of holding such a strategic dialogue at a time of national celebration.
The minister acknowledged the challenges in bilateral relations—such as smuggling, trafficking, and other trans-border crimes—but affirmed that both nations have historically found solutions through dialogue and collaboration. She emphasized that the current engagement was both technical and symbolic, reflecting a political commitment to economic development, peace, and stability.
“Our shared successes affirm a truth we must never lose sight of: that cooperation, not conflict; dialogue, not suspicion, remain our best tools for overcoming obstacles,” she said.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu reiterated the importance of building a resilient and sustainable trade corridor driven by mutual trust, referencing the strong partnership between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Patrice Talon. “The frequency and depth of our engagements underscore the strategic nature of our relationship,” she added.
She also stressed the need to align border policies, streamline customs procedures, and strengthen collaboration under regional frameworks such as ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, outlined the agreement’s focus on four key areas: trade in services and private sector engagement, market access and trade facilitation, customs procedures, and transport infrastructure. Technical working groups have been established to develop implementation strategies and will present their reports in Abuja in the coming weeks.
Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to maintaining strong, mutually beneficial ties with Nigeria. His counterpart, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, also participated in the talks, alongside senior officials from customs and trade agencies from both countries.
The bilateral meetings are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional integration and foster economic transformation across West Africa.
