The border between Niger and Bénin, closed for three years, could be on the verge of a significant shift. The recent visit by Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine to Cotonou last Sunday, where he attended the inauguration of the new Béninois head of state, Romuald Wadagni, has re-established a direct political channel between Niamey and Cotonou. Addressing his hosts, the Nigerien head of government spoke of a “new path” for the two nations, a diplomatic phrase that resonates as the beginning of a thaw after an open crisis that began following the July 2023 coup.
The closure of the Malanville border post, a vital commercial crossing point for both states, was a direct consequence of the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against the Nigerien military regime. Since then, the flow of hydrocarbons, foodstuffs, and various goods has been rerouted through Burkina Faso and Togo, leading to a significant increase in logistical costs for businesses on both sides of the border.
Severe economic consequences of the rift
The Port of Cotonou historically served as the primary maritime outlet for Niger’s landlocked economy. Its exclusion has negatively impacted Bénin’s customs revenues and complicated supply chains for Niamey, particularly after the inauguration of the crude oil export pipeline connecting Agadem to Bénin’s Sèmè-Kpodji terminal. The dispute surrounding this crucial infrastructure, operated in partnership with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), further intensified the distrust between the two capitals in 2024.
For communities living along the border, the closure has caused severe commercial stagnation in areas heavily reliant on transit trade. Informal operators, including transporters and traders, have increasingly resorted to bypassing official routes via secondary tracks, fueling a difficult-to-control parallel market. Economists familiar with the region emphasize that an official reopening would provide immediate relief for households on both sides of the divide.
Security concerns at the heart of hesitations
Despite the economic imperative, 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, notably within the W and Pendjari national parks. Cotonou harbors concerns that an inadequately managed reopening of the Malanville post could facilitate the movement of combatants and the logistical resupply of cells operating in the broader tri-border area.
From the Nigerien perspective, a similar distrust prevails. The transitional authorities accuse Bénin of having permitted the presence of elements hostile to the military government on its territory following the 2023 coup. Niamey has consistently alleged that Cotonou hosts training bases, accusations that Béninois authorities have vehemently denied. This pervasive climate of mutual suspicion explains why both sides remain wary of potential infiltrations, whether jihadist or political.
A conditional thaw
Romuald Wadagni’s assumption of the Béninois presidency partially reconfigures the situation. As a former finance minister well-regarded by international funders, he inherits a dossier where strong economic interests advocate for swift reconciliation. The full resumption of Nigerien crude oil exports through the Béninois terminal represents a potential annual revenue of several hundred billion CFA francs for both national treasuries.
Nevertheless, the precise timeline for reopening remains uncertain. Several technical stages are anticipated, including the establishment of reinforced control protocols at Malanville, the potential reactivation of a joint security commission, and clarification of the status of nationals from both countries who have been stranded since 2023. Niger’s shift away from regional cooperation dynamics, having exited ECOWAS alongside Mali and Burkina Faso to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), adds another layer of institutional complexity. This diplomatic gesture in Cotonou marks the most concrete political signal since the crisis began in West Africa.
