The Niger-Bénin border, sealed for three years, may soon thaw following a landmark diplomatic gesture. During his attendance at the inauguration of Benin’s new President Romuald Wadagni in Cotonou, Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine signaled a renewed commitment to restoring ties between Niamey and Cotonou. His remarks hinted at a strategic shift, marking the first direct political engagement since tensions escalated post the July 2023 coup in Niger.
The closure of the Malanville border post—once the lifeline of cross-border trade—stemmed from sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against Niger’s military leadership. Since then, oil, food, and goods have been rerouted through Burkina Faso and Togo, driving up costs for traders on both sides.
Economic fallout fuels urgency for reopening
The port of Cotonou has long been Niger’s primary maritime gateway, given its landlocked geography. Its exclusion has strained Benin’s customs revenue and disrupted Niamey’s supply chains, particularly after the Agadem oil pipeline—operated with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)—began exporting crude to Benin’s Sèmè-Kpodji terminal. A 2024 dispute over this infrastructure deepened mistrust between the two capitals.
For border communities, the closure has choked commerce in towns dependent on transit trade. Informal traders and transporters have resorted to risky detours, fueling unregulated markets. Economist Olivier Vallée, a former Nigerien advisor, notes that an official reopening would bring immediate relief to households on both sides.
Security concerns linger despite progress
Yet security remains a sticking point. Benin faces rising threats from Islamic State-affiliated groups and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) in its northern regions, including the W and Pendjari national parks. Cotonou fears an unmanaged reopening of Malanville could facilitate militant movement and logistical support for cells near the tri-border area.
Niger shares similar suspicions. Post-coup, Niamey accused Benin of harboring hostile elements, including alleged military training camps—a claim Cotonou denies. This mutual distrust highlights lingering fears of infiltration, whether jihadist or political, as Vallée points out.
Reopening hinges on safeguards
President Wadagni’s ascent introduces fresh momentum. A former Finance Minister with strong ties to international donors, he inherits a dossier where economic interests demand swift resolution. Resuming Niger’s crude exports via Cotonou’s terminal could inject hundreds of billions of CFA francs into both treasuries annually.
The timeline for reopening remains uncertain. Critical steps include establishing stricter border protocols, reactivating a joint security commission, and resolving the status of stranded nationals from both countries since 2023. Niger’s departure from ECOWAS—joining the Sahel States Confederation with Mali and Burkina Faso—adds another layer of institutional complexity. The gesture in Cotonou stands as the most tangible political signal since the crisis began.
