Benin has agreed to allow exports of Nigerien oil through its port of Seme, ending a months-long standoff between the West African neighbors.
Landlocked Niger began using a new pipeline in November 2023 to transport oil from its Agadem field to Benin for export via the Atlantic coast.
However, initial shipments were stalled due to Niger’s closed borders, a consequence of sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following a military coup in Niger in July 2023.
Benin, despite reopening its own border, conditioned Niger’s oil exports on normalized relations.
“Benin intends to fulfill all agreements signed within the framework of this pipeline project,” declared Beninese Minister of Mines Samou Seidou Adambi.
He confirmed authorization for the “loading of the first ship currently anchored in our waters.”
While Benin reopened its border, Niger’s military junta maintains border closures.
Last week, Beninese President Patrice Talon urged Niger to reopen borders for normalized relations to allow oil exports from the Beninese port.
The Beninese government emphasized it has “no interest” in harming Niger or the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the project’s operator.
This decision comes after a visit from a Chinese delegation, including representatives from the foreign affairs and energy ministries and CNPC executives, who met with President Talon and Beninese ministers.
The border closure with Niger negatively impacted Benin’s public finances and caused food price hikes, leading to labor union protests over rising living costs.
