Togo, Ghana, Benin: ECOWAS pushes for customs interconnection at the Noépé-Akanu border post
On 13 August 2026, at the joint border post of Noépé-Akanu between Togo and Ghana, authorities, hauliers, traders and customs brokers relaunched the roll-out of the Interconnected Transit Goods Management System (SIGMAT) to ease trade between Togo, Ghana and Benin.
Published · Updated
On 13 August 2026, a dialogue bringing together public authorities, transport operators, traders, customs brokers and private-sector representatives was held at the joint control post of Noépé-Akanu, on the border between Togo and Ghana, with Benin also taking part.
Three priorities were identified to speed up the practical implementation of commitments already made within the ECOWAS zone: continuing to digitise procedures, making joint control posts fully operational, and harmonising the application of community standards across the three countries' customs administrations.
Participants identified the wider roll-out of interconnected customs systems, in particular through the Interconnected Transit Goods Management System (SIGMAT), as the central lever for reducing crossing times, arbitrary practices and the risk of corruption at borders.
This affects importers and freight forwarders moving goods in transit, notably from the ports of Lomé and Cotonou, across the Togo-Ghana land border or towards Benin, as well as customs brokers in the three countries who already use SIGMAT to track goods in transit electronically.
What it changes for an importer
For a Sorva client bringing goods from China into Togo, Ghana or Benin, who then needs to move them on by road to a neighbouring country, better-operational customs interconnection can reduce transhipment breaks and delays at border posts. Sorva follows these corridor developments to advise clients on the choice of port of entry and freight consolidation, without standing in for the local customs brokers who remain responsible for the actual passage of goods across borders.
The certifications your country requires
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West and Central Africa Mandatory pre-shipment inspection
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Several West and Central African countries require a pre-shipment inspection by a government-appointed body, such as Bureau Veritas (BIVAC), Cotecna or SGS depending on the country, which issues the certificate required for customs clearance.
- Identification of the appointed body for your country
- Pro forma invoice and packing list prepared with the factory
- Factory access and goods ready on inspection day
- Our own check before the inspector arrives
Importing from China?
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