Nigeria, eight West African states sign UN cargo pact

Nigeria and eight other West African countries have signed a United Nations convention seeking to remove documentation bottlenecks and simplify the movement of goods across borders and different transport systems.

The agreement, known as the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents or the Accra Convention, is expected to improve regional trade by introducing a single negotiable document for cargo transported by different modes of transport.

The convention was opened for signature in Accra, Ghana, on October 26, with 26 countries signing the agreement.

Nigeria's participation alongside Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and Togo makes the nine ECOWAS member states among the signatories.

Under the framework, the same negotiable cargo document, either in paper or electronic form, can cover goods transported across national borders by different modes of transport.

The arrangement is expected to reduce paperwork, improve information sharing and make the movement of goods across West Africa more efficient.

For Nigeria and other participating countries, the convention could also strengthen existing regional trade arrangements, including the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), which allows customs authorities to exchange transit information electronically.

Ahead of the signing ceremony, the ECOWAS Commission organised a virtual sensitisation session on October 7 in collaboration with Ghana's Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law.

The convention, however, is not yet operational. It will enter into force 180 days after the deposit of the 10th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2025, the agreement seeks to establish a uniform legal framework for negotiable cargo documents and facilitate international trade.

Its impact will depend on how quickly participating countries ratify the agreement and integrate its provisions into their customs and transport systems.

In a related development, ECOWAS and Germany have launched a strategic dialogue in Abuja to strengthen cooperation in trade, infrastructure, security and development across West Africa.

Speaking at the inauguration, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Anthony Oluwatosin Ogunjimi, said the initiative represented a move away from traditional consultations towards deeper and more constructive engagement.

He urged Germany to use its influence within the European Union to promote stronger economic relations with West Africa and improve access to European markets for regional exports.

Germany reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ECOWAS efforts to address regional challenges and promote peace, security and stability.

The meeting was attended by German Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Stefan Rossel, officials of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, representatives of the German development agency, GIZ, and senior ECOWAS officials.