GGSP COTONI – Support for the development of the Cotonou-Niamey Corridor (Benin section)

The Cotonou–Niamey corridor is a strategic trade and transport axis in West Africa, linking the Port of Cotonou to landlocked countries, notably Niger. Despite its importance, the corridor faces significant challenges, including:

High transport costs and delays
Inefficient and fragmented customs procedures
Limited interoperability of digital systems
Persistent non-tariff barriers
Security risks and weak institutional coordination

These constraints hinder regional integration and reduce the competitiveness of trade flows. The project is implemented within the framework of the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, which aims to enhance connectivity, trade facilitation, and sustainable infrastructure development in Africa

Objective of the project

The project aims to reconstruct and upgrade critical sections of the road network to boost economic growth, enhance regional integration, and facilitate trade between Benin and landlocked Niger.

UNCTAD's efforts will leverage insights and methodologies from the Enhanced Integrated Framework project "Facilitation of transit transport and trade in West Africa for better value chain participation".

Specific Objective:
To improve the fluidity, safety, and efficiency of transport and transit along the Cotonou–Niamey corridor through strengthened governance, enhanced trade facilitation, and increased digitalization of procedures

Activities

UNCTAD’s contribution focuses specifically on activities related to transit, transport and their digitalization (TTD), in line with its mandate under the project.

In particular, UNCTAD will:

Support the National Trade Facilitation Committee (CNFE) in relation to transit and transport-related matters, including their digitalization
Contribute to the development and implementation of regulatory and operational frameworks specific to transit and transport facilitation
Promote the digitalization and interoperability of systems related to transit and transport, including Single Window components relevant to these areas
Support the implementation of the Quadrilateral Declaration with a focus on transit, transport and related legal and operational convergence
Assist in establishing the conditions for an effective Single Customs Transit Guarantee
Facilitate coordination among stakeholders specifically involved in transit, transport and digital systems

Intended outcomes

Improved performance and coordination of CNFE in managing transit, transport and digitalization-related activities
Enhanced regulatory and operational frameworks for transit and transport facilitation
Increased digitalization and interoperability of systems linked to transit and transport operations
Reduced transit times and costs along the corridor
Strengthened regional cooperation in areas related to transit, transport and digital integration
Improved conditions for the effective functioning of transit guarantee mechanisms and related systems