More than three months after the coup in Niger, the economic consequences continue to be felt throughout the region. And particularly in one of Niamey’s major trading partners: Benin. The corridor from the port of Cotonou to the Nigerien capital is one of the main food supply channels. But since the ECOWAS sanctions, the borders have been closed. And on the docks of the port of Cotonou, goods destined for Niger are piling up. To the point that the port authorities no longer accept them.
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According to a document signed by the port director, Cotonou has no longer accepted any goods destined for Niger since Wednesday. And this until further notice. This letter, of which RFI has become aware, cites reasons “ operational ” And ” congestion “.
Since the coup d’état and the closure of the borders with Niger, containers have been piling up at the port. To the point that the authorities are offering alternatives to carriers. Market the goods in Benin, find other routes to reach Niamey, or even reship them.
According to a recent World Bank report, other ports in the region should benefit from the closure of the Cotonou-Niamey corridor, such as that of Lomé, Togo.
A Togolese source also specifies that the activity of the capital’s port has increased. More than a million tonnes and 28,000 containers imported over the January-October period compared to last year. Our source specifies that this growth is “ probably » linked to the closure of the Benin-Niger border.