Audio By Carbonatix
West African countries have agreed to conduct an investigation into the impact of Nigeria’s decision last year to close off its land borders to trade, Nigeria’s presidency said on Monday.
Nigeria has banned the import and export of all goods through its land borders since last August as part of what it describes as a campaign to tackle smuggling. Its smaller neighbours, many of whom rely on trade with Africa’s biggest economy, have complained that this has caused severe hardship.
Heads of state from the Economic Community of West African States agreed Sunday night to set up a committee “to study and make a full report on Nigeria’s land border closure with her neighbours,” said a statement from a spokesman for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
There is no timeline for when the report is due, but it is meant to be completed “as soon as possible,” Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said, according to the statement.
Since taking office in 2015, Buhari has introduced policies aimed at curbing imports and smuggling, to boost local manufacturing. Buhari has also been trying to boost revenues after a 2016 recession slashed income.
The move to shut the borders followed a decision in July to sign Nigeria up to an African Continental Free Trade Area, a project to create a $3.4 trillion economic bloc.
Latest Stories
-
ORC begins enforcement of GH¢500 penalty for failure to file beneficial ownership information
51 seconds -
GRA assures it will meet GH¢225bn target for 2026 despite tax reform concerns
8 minutes -
Ofori-Atta Saga : Ex-appointees must face probes when invited – John Darko
14 minutes -
Haruna Mohammed rules out removal of names from NPP album
17 minutes -
Volta House of Chiefs nullifies enstoolment of Roland Adiko as paramount chief of Tanyigbe, affirms rotational succession
17 minutes -
FACT CHECK: Kennedy Agyapong’s claim that Adenta is a traditional NPP seat and that Bawumia did not campaign there is false
18 minutes -
Iran: Videos from mortuary show how deadly protests have become
21 minutes -
Over 2,000 screened as Ashanti Region Police recruitment exercise progresses
31 minutes -
Mallam Market chaos: Traders flout rules, crippling Accra-Kasoa Highway
31 minutes -
Preparations for NPP presidential primaries nearly complete — Haruna Mohammed
48 minutes -
AFCON 2025: the dominance of African coaches
51 minutes -
31 granted bail over illegal mining in Apramprama forest reserve
1 hour -
Son of Iran’s exiled late monarch urges supporters to replace embassy flags
1 hour -
Gold Empire Resources applauds gov’t crackdown on illegal mining; calls for prosecution of financiers and sponsors
1 hour -
Western North NPP raises alarm over cocoa sector neglect, cites lack of funds and jute sacks
2 hours
