Togo Halts Trade with Niger due to Recent Coup d’Etat

Public finance

Wednesday, 16 August 2023 04:10

Togo Halts Trade with Niger due to Recent Coup d’Etat

(Togo First) - Togo halted trade with Niger on August 1, 2023. The decision, taken by the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR), was formalized in a press release issued by the tax authorities. It followed economic sanctions imposed on Niamey at the extraordinary summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in Abuja on July 30, 2023.

"Commercial and transit service transactions to and from Niger are suspended until further notice," stresses the statement signed by Philippe Kokou Tchodié, Commissioner General of the OTR, made public late last week.

This decision is likely to deal a blow to trade flows between the two countries. According to statistics compiled by the United Nations Organization (UNO), in 2019, Togo exported over $80 million worth of goods to Niger, which at that time was Togo's 4th largest export market.

As a reminder, the ECOWAS sanctions were imposed following the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum, who had officially taken over the reins of the country in April 2021. The aim is to force the putschists to restore the deposed leader's rights.

Esaïe Edoh

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