On June 21, 2025, during the inaugural West Africa Economic Summit (WAES) in Abuja, Presidents Patrice Talon of Benin and Bola Tinubu of Nigeria signed a reinforced cooperation agreement between their two countries. The goal is clear: to lay the foundations for deeper bilateral integration, with the ambition of making this initiative a model that can be replicated across ECOWAS.
Framed as a new type of partnership, the agreement aims to improve living conditions, strengthen border security, and accelerate regional integration through coordinated and concrete actions.
“President Tinubu and I have agreed on full integration between Benin and Nigeria. The responsibility now lies with our ministers to implement it. Benin and Nigeria are more than twins, we are the same people. Let us show the region that integration is possible.”
— Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin
Benin and Nigeria share more than 700 kilometers of border, but also a common history, interconnected family and trade networks, shared languages, and intense economic activity, especially along the Cotonou–Lagos corridor, one of the busiest in the subregion.
Despite this closeness, several barriers remain: complex customs procedures, logistical delays, and limited cross-border coordination. The agreement signed in Abuja is designed to tackle these persistent challenges.
It focuses on four key areas:
- Facilitating cross-border trade through the creation of green corridors and streamlined customs procedures
- Investing in shared infrastructure, including roads, ports, and border facilities
- Improving security coordination to combat smuggling and regional threats
- Promoting cultural and social ties through educational exchanges, community programs, and people-centered initiatives
At a time when ECOWAS is grappling with political crises, military coups, and stalled cooperation, this initiative sends a clear and timely message. It demonstrates that, even without full regional consensus, meaningful progress can emerge through bold bilateral commitments grounded in strategic vision and strong political will.
Amid growing global trade tensions and rising protectionism, African nations must also prioritize their shared interests by building stronger regional foundations.
Beyond institutional concerns, the ultimate objective remains to improve the daily lives of citizens. In a region experiencing rapid population growth and mounting social pressure, economic and political integration can be powerful tools for stability.
“Poverty is the main threat to democracy, security, and stability. If we do not address poverty through integration, our values will remain hollow.”
— Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin
This agreement represents a key milestone. Its success will be measured not by rhetoric, but by real-world implementation. It also has the potential to help revive momentum around the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a flagship initiative signed by 54 countries, but still held back by tariff delays, varied national implementation capacity, and logistical hurdles.