Nigerian traders at the Niger border are expressing their concerns about officials in Niamey rejecting ECOWAS passports. They fear that this decision could disrupt decades of essential cross-border trade. This development also increases tensions between Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and other West African countries.
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00:00Niger's recent travel restrictions on Nigerians are already affecting the livelihoods of thousands
00:07in border communities.
00:08For decades, many Nigerian traders have participated in socio-economic activities along the extensive
00:16border and within Niger.
00:19The cross-border trade between the two countries was estimated to be worth approximately $226
00:27million.
00:29Malam Nsero Latban is among the traders affected by Niger's move to limit visa-free travel
00:36for Nigerians.
00:38The cooking gas supplier was recently denied entry into Niger, disrupting his supply source.
00:45Honestly, these days we are facing serious challenges when crossing into Niger to import
00:50goods.
00:51Unlike before, when movement was free, our business is suffering.
00:56We are calling on authorities of both countries to find alternative solutions.
01:03Key border crossings such as Ilela in Nigeria and Koni in Niger are now subject to stringent
01:10controls.
01:12Traders and communities who previously relied on ECOWAS passports for unrestricted movement
01:17are now encountering unexpected obstacles, disrupting their businesses and daily lives.
01:23It's true we are having trouble with Nigerian immigration officials.
01:30Unlike their Nigerian counterparts, sometimes they deport us after we've travelled deep
01:36into the country.
01:39As transporters, we don't have issues with the officers, but traders and commuters must
01:44pay approximately a dollar to obtain an identification document to cross.
01:51Although Nigeria's government has not officially announced a complete ban on ECOWAS passports,
01:57affected travellers fear worsening conditions that could further disrupt trade and mobility
02:02across the border.
02:04Amid the uncertainty, traders continue to call for urgent diplomatic intervention to
02:10ease the restrictions.
02:13This explains why governments of each of the states need to do everything possible
02:18to actually ensure that the implication of this new development is actually arrested
02:24before it compounds economic and social situation of the communities that are involved in trading
02:32along the borders of Nigeria and the Niger Republic.