According to the BBC, Benin has recently prevented Niger from using its port to export crude oil due to an ongoing border dispute between the two neighboring nations. President Patrice Talon's administration has made it clear that Niger must reopen its border if it wishes to utilize Benin's ports for exporting its first crude oil. The tensions between the two countries intensified after a military coup took place in Niger last year.
It is reported that, as a result of the coup, Benin, along with other West African nations, imposed sanctions on Niger, including border closures, in an effort to pressure the military junta to relinquish power to the elected government. Although the sanctions were lifted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in February with hopes of restoring normal trade relations, Niger has since failed to open its border to goods from Benin.
President Talon has expressed his disappointment in Niger's lack of cooperation in restoring diplomatic ties, emphasizing that collaboration between the two countries is essential for resuming oil exports through Benin's ports. The current impasse poses a threat to Niger's plans to export oil, a pivotal part of its economic strategy given its landlocked status and the recent completion of a Chinese-built pipeline through Benin.
Furthermore, economic impacts have been felt on both sides, with Benin expected to lose significant revenue from transit fees that Niger would have paid. The director of the Centre for Research and Opinion Polls in Benin highlighted that Niger's decision to keep the border closed has had detrimental effects on Benin's economy, particularly in the transport sector. The refusal to reopen the border not only hampers economic activities but also strains the historical trade partnership between the two nations.