Nigeria Reopens Key Kebbi Border Crossings to Boost Trade, Security Cooperation
Nigeria has reopened the Kamba and Tsamiya border crossings in Kebbi State to neighbouring Benin Republic and the Niger Republic, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral trade and regional cooperation.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, confirmed that the borders—located in Dandi and Bagudo Local Government Areas—were reopened following improved security conditions and diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
Speaking during the official reopening on Monday, the Customs Area Comptroller in Kebbi State, Mahmud Matawalle Ibrahim, disclosed that the decision was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate the movement of legitimate goods across the borders.
According to Ibrahim, the reopening allows the movement of goods from the Tsamiya border to the Niger Republic through the Kamba border corridor, thereby easing trade logistics within the sub-region.
He explained that several trucks previously stranded in the Benin Republic have now been officially cleared at Tsamiya and permitted to transit through Kamba into the Niger Republic via the Tunga Jado border route.
The Comptroller noted that the borders were earlier shut due to rising insecurity in the affected areas, adding that the reopening followed a series of bilateral talks and agreements aimed at enhancing trade and security collaboration among the countries.
He expressed confidence that the development would strengthen economic ties, stimulate cross-border commercial activities, and improve monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with trade regulations.
Ibrahim further assured that the Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to enforcing the agreements reached with neighbouring countries while maintaining strict surveillance to guarantee smooth and secure trading operations along the reopened routes.
The reopening is expected to ease the movement of goods, reduce transportation bottlenecks, and support economic activities among border communities and traders operating within the West African corridor.