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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is taking a major step toward digitalising customs operations with the launch of the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), a new platform designed to make cross-border trade faster, safer, and more transparent.
Developed as a home-grown digital solution, SIGMAT enables customs authorities across the region to exchange real-time electronic data on goods in transit, a move expected to reduce delays, minimise revenue losses, and improve cargo security.
The system is being rolled out initially among Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Liberia, following a two-day technical meeting of customs ICT and transit experts in Monrovia, ahead of the official launch on 31 October 2025.
Officials say the platform will help tackle smuggling and documentation fraud, while ensuring more efficient coordination among customs agencies along regional trade corridors.
SIGMAT is a key part of ECOWAS’s strategy to make trade across borders easier and more predictable.
The initiative also aligns with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), promoting the free movement of goods and improving regional competitiveness.
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