Niger/Nigeria: The two countries reopen their border at Kamba after months of closure
Nigerian and Nigerien customs authorities officially reopened the Kamba border post in the Nigerian State of KEBBI on Monday. That move ends months of closure that had paralyzed trade between the neighboring nations.
The prolonged shutdown had caused a backlog of over 1,600 trucks loaded with goods destined for Niamey, creating logistical challenges and inflicting significant economic losses on traders operating along both sides of the frontier.
Nigerian authorities had justified the closure as part of intensified efforts to curb rampant smuggling in the border zone, aiming to sanitize commercial exchanges and protect the national economy from illicit flows evading customs oversight.
The reopening signals a significant step toward normalizing bilateral relations between Abuja and Niamey.
It comes amid deepening security and economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in joint efforts to address cross-border insecurity.
The decision is expected to progressively restore legitimate trade flows between the two nations, relieving transporters and merchants whose operations had been severely disrupted.
It also presents an opportunity to implement strengthened control mechanisms capable of effectively preventing smuggling while facilitating lawful commerce.
Stan OKAFOR
