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By Merit Ibe
To promote seamless intra-African trade and support Nigerian exporters, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), recently undertook a strategic road trip from Nigeria to Togo, starting from Lagos, through the Seme Border to identify operational constraints affecting the smooth movement of goods across borders.
The fact-finding mission on its way to participate at the Biashara Afrika 2026 in Lomé, Togo, provided NACCIMA delegation, under the leadership of the National President, Jani Ibrahim, an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the challenges and bottlenecks confronting exporters along the route.
During the exercise, the delegation engaged directly with exporters, transport operators, customs officials, and other relevant stakeholders along the way, to identify operational constraints affecting the smooth movement of goods across borders.
The assessment revealed several issues hindering cross-border trade, including delays at border posts, multiple checkpoints, administrative bottlenecks, and other non-tariff barriers that increase the cost of doing business and undermine the competitiveness of Nigerian exports within the West African sub-region.
Speaking during the visit, NACCIMA president reaffirmed the commitment by the association to continue to advocate for policies and reforms that would optimally facilitate trade, strengthen regional integration and improve the ease of doing business in line with the objectives of both the ETLS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The findings from the road trip will form part of NACCIMA’s ongoing engagement with government agencies, regional institutions, and development partners aimed at addressing trade barriers and creating a more efficient, predictable and competitive export environment for Nigerian businesses.
NACCIMA, as private sector leader, remains committed to championing initiatives that enhance market access, promote regional value chains, and unlock the full potential of intra-African trade for the benefit of Nigerian enterprises and the broader African economy.
Accompanying the National President on the trip were: Alhaji Yahaya Oladiran Idris, National Vice President, NACCIMA: Engr. Olusola Obadimu, Director General, NACCIMA ; Alhaji Salami Alasoadura, Cross Border Trade Adviser, NACCIMA; Hajia Amina Lawal-Aliyu, Head, Trade Facilitation, NACCIMA; Mr. Willem Inya, Manager, Research and Rotimi Obagbemi, Manager, Public Relations.
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On his part, Alhaji Salami Alasoadura, Cross Border Trade Adviser, revealed that the association will embark on more of such missions to discover and have an idea of the cost of goods from one point to the other by road, sea and air.
He also disclosed that the group will also find out how to promote made in Nigeria goods along trade corridors.
He advised that that It’s important for exporters to have knowledge of landing cost, which helps them in planning and allow them to be competitive.
“If exporters don’t do their research, they will be highly indebted.”
“We are about finding out how much it costs to take tonnes of goods by road, sea and air. We want to find out the landing cost.
“We will also find out how to promoting made in Nigeria goods along trade corridors.
“It’s important for exporters to have knowledge of landing cost, will it will allow you to be competitive.
“If you don’t do your research you will be highly indebted.”
