After more than two years of near-total closure, the border between Bénin and Niger may soon reopen. Officials in both Cotonou and Niamey are engaged in technical talks to restore the flow of goods and people along the vital corridor linking the port of Cotonou to landlocked regions in central Sahel. This development follows a shift in regional diplomacy, notably Niger‘s withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its alignment with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside Mali and Burkina Faso.

Trade bottleneck stifles economic growth

The closure, imposed after the July 26, 2023 coup against President Mohamed Bazoum, was initially part of ECOWAS sanctions. Bénin strictly enforced the measures, drastically reducing cross-border traffic. Niger, a landlocked nation heavily reliant on the Bénin corridor for imports, retaliated by maintaining restrictions even after sanctions were lifted in February 2024.

The economic toll has been severe. The Port of Cotonou, a key transit point for goods bound for Niamey, saw a sharp decline in Nigerien traffic. Transport operators, freight forwarders, and border communities in Bénin‘s Alibori and Borgou departments bore the brunt. Meanwhile, Niger‘s consumers faced soaring prices due to supply shortages, exacerbating inflation.

Oil pipeline fuels diplomatic thaw

Energy cooperation has become a driving force behind the easing tensions. The nearly 2,000-kilometer Niger-Bénin pipeline, designed to transport crude from Agadem to the Sèmè-Kpodji terminal, has forced both capitals to engage in dialogue. Early 2024 shipments sparked disputes, with Cotonou initially tying oil flows to the reopening of land borders.

Since then, multiple channels of communication have opened, sometimes with regional mediation. Economic pragmatism appears to be overriding political rhetoric. For Bénin, restoring logistical flows is a fiscal and social necessity, as the Nigerien corridor is a critical revenue stream for its port and customs duties. For Niger, securing an alternative supply route beyond Burkina Faso and Togo corridors would reduce its external trade vulnerabilities.

Security conditions delay full resumption

Negotiations remain stalled on key issues. Security concerns dominate, with Niger‘s authorities accusing Bénin of harboring groups hostile to their regime—a claim firmly denied by President Patrice Talon’s administration. Joint verification mechanisms and enhanced intelligence cooperation are among Niamey‘s demands.

Bénin‘s upcoming 2026 presidential election adds urgency. The government seeks a visible diplomatic success, particularly for northern populations hit hardest by the closure. In Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani aims to bolster his regime’s economic legitimacy amid an extended transition.

The reopening, if confirmed, is likely to be gradual. A pilot phase could precede full normalization, with limited border crossings and targeted goods. Operators in both countries, wary of past reversals, now demand concrete actions and a stable legal framework. Discussions between the two governments are reportedly advancing at a steady pace.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter