POLICY DIALOGUE ON COMBATING CORRUPTION ALONG NIGERIA ECOWAS TRADE ROUTES - The National Association of Nigerian Traders NANTS

Regional trade and integration has remained part of Nigeria’s overarching strategy for economic transformation, growth and development. To this end, Nigeria adopted the establishment of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) with trade instruments such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and the Common External Tariff (CET) at the West African regional level aimed at promoting intra-regional trade and free movement of goods, services and capital. The target was to maximize the benefits of integration, and particularly for increased productivity and the expansion of markets for the private sector. However, at present, the ultimate benefits and opportunities of free trade for Nigeria are either eluding the country or not being maximized. 

This is attributable to frequent reports and allegations of bribery, intimidations and or harassments of traders, transporters and other private sector operators along the border routes. These cases of corruption involving various actors and security/law enforcement agencies including (other) border officials on the one hand and traders, transporters and clearing agents on the other hand constantly distort trade flows and inhibit overall benefit of free trade to Nigeria. In addition, unnecessary trade barriers created by non-transparent, burdensome rules and procedures which in turn constitute vulnerabilities, breed incentives to engage in corrupt behaviour appears unstoppable. Similarly, unnecessary delays of movement of goods (sometimes perishable items) continues to increase the burden of losses to the operators, consumers as well as diminish revenue to government coffers while also increasing the cost of doing business.