The export of Nigerian oil through the Beninese port of Sèmè has been authorized once again, announced Benin’s Minister of Mines, Samou Seidou Adambi on Wednesday, resolving a tense situation that had persisted for several months between Porto-Novo and the military regime in Niamey.
“However, this temporary and punctual authorization will not become a standard practice,” cautioned the minister to the press in Cotonou, hinting that Porto-Novo could suspend its authorization again if Niamey fails to cooperate, particularly regarding the full reopening of their common border.
In November, Niger inaugurated a massive pipeline aiming to transport crude oil extracted from the Agadem field (southeast) to neighboring Benin by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), a state-owned Chinese oil company.
However, loading Nigerian oil at the port of Sèmè Kpodji couldn’t commence initially due to the closure of borders between Niger and its neighbors following sanctions imposed on Niamey by the West African organization ECOWAS, following the coup that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum in July 2023.
Despite the announcement of the end of sanctions in late February and Benin’s willingness to reopen its border, Niger kept its side closed.
This situation had irked Beninese President Patrice Talon, who had urged Nigerien authorities last week to reopen their border if Niamey wished to export its oil from the port of Sèmè.
“Benin allows the loading of the first ship currently anchored in our waters,” said the Minister of Mines, clarifying that his country had “no interest in harming the State of Niger and Wapco,” the Chinese partner operating the pipeline.
This decision follows a visit by officials from the Chinese Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Energy, along with executives from the China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), who met with Patrice Talon and Beninese Ministers of Mines and Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, according to information from the specialized news site Africa Intelligence.
The government spokesperson had stated to AFP on Wednesday morning that they had no information about this visit.
“We believe that this pipeline will be a symbol of friendship between the three countries,” stated Wen Yuan, a representative of Wapco, a subsidiary of CNPC, who was present during the Minister of Mines’ press briefing.
“We are currently in the stage of oil production, transportation, and exploitation,” he added.
The closure of the border with Niger has had a significant impact on Benin’s public revenues and on the cost of food items, which have increased.