Traders along the Nigeria-Niger border are raising alarms over a new 0.5% tariff imposed by the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS), warning that it could disrupt business and deepen economic hardships in the region.
Speaking from Kongolom, a key border town in Katsina State, traders lamented that the additional levy, recently introduced by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso after their withdrawal from ECOWAS, threatens small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on cross-border trade for survival.
Alhaji Muhammad Mamman, a local trader, expressed concerns that the tariff would cripple businesses already struggling due to economic downturns and past border restrictions.
“Many of us depend on daily transactions to feed our families. This new tax will make it harder for us to afford goods, and if fewer products cross the border, markets in Mai’adua and beyond will suffer,” he said.
Malam Abubakar Sagir echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that rather than imposing more financial burdens, governments should focus on policies that promote trade cooperation.
“This will encourage smuggling as traders seek ways to bypass official routes. That will lead to revenue losses for both countries,” he warned.
Alhaji Kabir Sani, another businessman, added that traders already operate on slim profit margins, and any additional costs will force them to either hike prices or reduce imports—both of which would negatively impact local economies.
“If this continues, both Nigerians and Nigeriens will struggle, businesses will slow down, and poverty will rise,” he said.
As traders brace for the impact, many are urging the governments involved to reconsider the policy and explore alternative ways to support trade rather than stifling it.
