Nigeria’s export volume to Niger Republic has experienced a significant surge in the second quarter of 2024, following the reopening of borders, a move implemented by President Bola Tinubu in March amidst political tensions stemming from a coup in Niger.
According to foreign trade data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s exports to Niger skyrocketed by 204%, increasing from ₦6.72 billion in Q1 2024 to ₦20.46 billion in Q2 2024. This shift represents a notable economic turnaround after a partial shutdown of cross-border trade due to the political unrest in Niger.
As a result of this growth, Niger Republic has become Nigeria’s 8th largest trading partner in Africa, now accounting for 0.87% of Nigeria’s total export volume in Q2 2024, up from 0.30% in the previous quarter.
The increase in exports can be attributed directly to the border reopening, which had previously been closed for security reasons related to the coup and regional instability. This closure aimed to mitigate the political crisis and prevent smuggling but had severely limited legitimate trade and affected Nigeria’s export activities in the region.
The Q2 2024 data reflects a resurgence in trade, particularly in non-crude oil exports, as Niger primarily imports agricultural products, manufactured goods, and other non-oil commodities from Nigeria. Unlike larger African economies such as South Africa and Ivory Coast, which rely heavily on Nigerian crude oil, Niger’s economic relationship with Nigeria is centered around a diverse exchange of goods that meet local demand.
