As part of the bilateral exchanges initiated by the two countries at the West Africa Economic Summit (WAES 2025), held in Abuja, an MOU was signed in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Patrice Talon.
This commitment to deepening bilateral trade, strengthening cross-border cooperation, and advancing regional integration in pursuit of shared prosperity for the peoples of Nigeria and Benin.
The Nigerian delegation was led by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, joined by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi; and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Rimi.
The Beninese delegation was headed by—Senior Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Romuald Wadagni; Minister of Justice and Legislation, Mr. Yvon Detchénou; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari; and Minister of Industry and Trade, Mrs. Shadiya Alimatou Assouman.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria warmly welcomes the agreement reached today. Structured around four thematic pillars—Trade in Goods; Trade in Services & Private Sector Engagement; Customs Procedures & Trade Facilitation; and Legal & Institutional Issues—the Framework will guide the negotiation of a Memorandum of Understanding.
This is set to begin in Q4 2025, with the conclusion targeted by Q1 2026.
Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR, stated: “This approach reflects our trade policy’s alignment with ECOWAS, the AfCFTA, and WTO frameworks, and underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering win‑win outcomes for Nigeria, the West African subregion, and the broader African continent.
