It has been reported that Dangote Cement has been allowed to commence exports across Nigerian land borders by the Federal Government whose directive to close the border has been in effect for more than a year.
It should be recalled that Nigerian authorities shut down borders with adjoining countries like Benin and Niger to halt smuggling and increase local production. Though the closure encouraged consumption of locally grown products like rice, it hurt many factories which rely on Nigeria’s market across West Africa.
As reported by Bloomberg, President Muhammadu Buhari‘s administration authorized Africa’s largest producer to export cement to Niger and Togo in the quarter for the first time in 2020.
It was gathered that the Chief Executive Officers of the firm, Michel Puchercos, said the export was made possible “through authorization given by this administration” during an investor call in Lagos.
It is widely speculated that Dangote Cement’s exemption is a relaxation of the government’s stance on border closure that commenced last year August and could pave way for other bushinesses to fully commence exports across Nigeria’s land barriers. Also, the exemption has reignited hope of Nigeria’s reopening of trade with neighbouring countries after a long time.
