The trade relationship between Nigeria and Niger, which amounts to approximately $226.34 million, is in jeopardy due to the recent closure of their shared border.

The closure was triggered by Nigeria in response to the military coup that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum’s democratically elected administration in Niger.

This decision has adversely affected cross-border trade between the two nations.

Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, explained that border closures were imposed in alignment with directives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu underscored ECOWAS’s opposition to the coup in Niger and advocated for various measures, including the cessation of electricity supply and the blockade of goods in transit.

The closure of the border has the potential to disrupt the $226.34 million trade flow between Nigeria and Niger. In 2022, imports and exports combined reached this value, with Nigeria importing goods worth $33.43 million and exporting goods valued at $192.91 million to Niger.

This is not the first instance of Nigeria closing its border with Niger; a partial border closure in 2019 led to a significant decline in trade volume in 2020.

The trade includes imports such as edible fruits, nuts, hides, skins, dairy products, vegetables, and exports like mineral fuels, plastics, fertilizers, and more.

The deteriorating diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Niger, particularly due to the military junta’s cutting ties with various countries, now places the bilateral trade partnership at a critical juncture.