For the moment, there has been no reaction from Niamey since the announcement that the Nigerian barriers had been reopened. Niger's borders remain closed.

After Benin, Nigeria, another of Niger's strategic trading partners, announced the reopening of land borders with Niger, followed by the immediate lifting of other parallel restrictions associated with ECOWAS economic sanctions.

The decision also cancels the ban on flights to/from Niger imposed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the end of 2023. However, there has been no reaction from Niamey since the news was announced. As with Benin, which reopened its borders the day after the sanctions were lifted, the Niger authorities are keeping their border posts barricaded.

Niger has a long-standing cultural and commercial relationship with Nigeria. The country exports livestock and agricultural products, mainly onions. Nigerian ports also supply this landlocked neighbor with basic necessities, building materials and other goods.

According to United Nations Comtrade data, Nigeria was Niger's 4th largest supplier in 2022, accounting for nearly 8% of imports. In the same year, it was the 3rd largest customer, accounting for 16% of Niger's exports.

Since the entry into force of the CEDAO sanctions at the end of July 2023, Niger has been directing its trade transactions to the port of Lomé, which recently introduced preferential taxation as an incentive, with exemption from the statistical fee (1% of the CIF value) for Nigerian goods unloaded on its platform.

It should be noted that before Nigeria, Benin also reopened its borders with Niger the day after sanctions were lifted. However, the Niger authorities kept their border closed, citing security risks.

Agence Ecofin