2023-06-22 19:34:00
(Ecofin Agency) – Arguing a crackdown on smuggling, Abuja decided in 2019 to close its borders with Benin, Niger and Cameroon. These measures have had economic repercussions, particularly on trade flows and relations and on the lives of border populations.
The Nigerian government on Wednesday (21 June) ordered the full reopening of the Sèmè border post to imports of vehicles and other types of goods from Benin or other West African states. The information relayed in the Nigerian press was given by the national director of road transport in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa.
This decision can be seen as the first major step in restoring trade relations between the two neighboring countries, whose somewhat tense relations in recent years have caused the borders to be closed in August 2019 for more than a year.
The Sèmè border post, the main land gateway to Nigeria from Benin and the sub-region, had to be reopened in December 2020, but the maintenance of restrictions on the import of goods such as used vehicles, rice and poultry, has significantly affected several economic operators in both countries, as well as local populations.
Nigeria is in fact one of the main clients of the port of Cotonou, renowned in West Africa for handling this type of goods under the re-export customs regime, because of its strategic geographical position and the level of security that offer its waters and roads for transporters.
The lifting of these restrictions should give a breath of fresh air to the Nigerian market and improve the customs revenues of the two countries.
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