Nigeria lifts sanctions on Niger and reopens borders

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has lifted all economic sanctions imposed on neighbouring Niger, eight months after a military coup there.

He ordered the immediate opening of borders, the resumption of commercial flights and the supply of electricity to Niger.

Exports including livestock and onions from Niger to Nigeria have dwindled significantly.

Import dependent Niger has suffered the lack of essential commodities, with border communities being the worst hit by these sanctions.

Last month, the West African regional body, Ecowas, agreed to lift economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea which have all seen military takeovers in the last two years.

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso had earlier announced they would withdraw from Ecowas after the sanctions were imposed.

Niger’s ousted President Mohamed Bazoum has been detained by the military leaders in Niger since last July's coup.