A diplomatic breakthrough: Niger and Bénin eye border reopening
The Niger-Bénin border, a vital artery that has remained closed for three years, now shows signs of a significant shift. A recent visit by Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine to Cotonou, where he attended the inauguration of Bénin’s new head of state, Romuald Wadagni, has re-established a direct political dialogue between Niamey and Cotonou. Addressing his hosts, the Nigerien government chief spoke of a “new path” for both nations – a diplomatic phrase signaling the onset of a thaw after a period of open crisis following the July 2023 coup.
The decision to shut down the Malanville border post, the primary commercial gateway between the two countries, came in the wake of sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against Niger’s military regime. Since then, the movement of hydrocarbons, foodstuffs, and various goods has been rerouted through Burkina Faso and Togo, leading to a substantial increase in logistical expenses for businesses on both sides.
Significant economic repercussions
The port of Cotonou traditionally served as the preferred maritime outlet for Niger’s landlocked economy. Its exclusion has negatively impacted Béninois customs revenues and complicated supply chains for Niamey, particularly after the launch of the crude oil export pipeline connecting Agadem to Bénin’s Sèmè-Kpodji terminal. A disagreement surrounding this infrastructure, operated in partnership with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), had intensified distrust between the two capitals throughout 2024.
For communities residing along the border, the closure brought commercial stagnation to areas heavily reliant on transit trade. Informal operators, including transporters and merchants, resorted to bypassing official routes via secondary tracks, fueling an unregulated parallel market. Economist Olivier Vallée, who previously served as a technical advisor in Niger, highlighted that an official reopening would offer immediate relief to households on both sides of the divide.
Security concerns at the forefront
Despite these positive developments, security remains a primary point of contention. Béninois authorities are grappling with an escalation of armed groups, including those affiliated with the Islamic State in the Sahel and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), particularly in the northern regions within the W and Pendjari national parks. Cotonou harbors concerns that an inadequately managed reopening of the Malanville post could inadvertently facilitate the movement of combatants and resupply logistics for cells operating in the “three borders” area.
Conversely, Niger maintains a symmetrical apprehension. The transitional authorities accuse Bénin of permitting the presence of elements hostile to the military government on its territory after the 2023 coup. Niamey has repeatedly alleged that Cotonou hosts training bases, claims consistently denied by Béninois officials. This atmosphere of mutual suspicion, as noted by Olivier Vallée, underscores why both sides remain wary of infiltrations, whether jihadist or political.
A conditional path to reconciliation
The assumption of the Béninois presidency by Romuald Wadagni partially reshuffles the political landscape. As a former finance minister well-regarded by international donors, he inherits a situation where strong economic imperatives advocate for rapid reconciliation. The full resumption of Nigerien crude oil exports through the Béninois terminal represents a potential annual gain of hundreds of billions of CFA francs for both national treasuries.
Nevertheless, the precise timeline for the border’s reopening remains fluid. Several technical stages are anticipated, including the establishment of enhanced control protocols at Malanville, the potential reactivation of a joint security commission, and a clear resolution for citizens from both countries stranded since 2023. Niger’s decision to withdraw from ECOWAS alongside Mali and Burkina Faso to form the Confederation of Sahel States further complicates the institutional framework for regional cooperation. This recent diplomatic gesture in Cotonou stands as the most tangible political signal since the crisis began.
