The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said the sustained closure of the Nigerian land borders is hurting economies of Benin Republic and Niger Republic. Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director, African Department (IMF) stated this at a press briefing during the launch of Economic outlook for sub-Saharan Africa at the ongoing World Bank/IMF annual meetings in Washington DC.

“On the border closure in Nigeria which has been impacting Benin and Niger, our understanding is that the border has been closed, reflecting concerns about smuggling that’s been taking place, illegal trade, not the legal trade that you want to facilitate” he sisd.

IMF is also optimistic the borders would soon open. “So we’re very hopeful that, you know, discussions will resolve the challenges that this illegal trade is fostering” he said.

The IMF also said sub-Saharan Africa will experience modest growth. “Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to pick up, though at a slower rate than previously envisioned. For this year we are projecting growth at around the 3.2 percent mark, rising to 3.6 percent in 2020′ he said.

“Relative to April, we have seen growth revised down for about two-thirds of countries this year, albeit by a modest’ he noted. On fighting poverty in Nigeria, the IMF director said “you have in part of the country very elevated levels of poverty; very elevated levels of, you know, infant mortality, maternal mortality — really important indicators of wellbeing — really are very high in some parts of the country; and in other parts of the country are, you know, comparatively very low. So, there’s this big variation in poverty outcomes, economic outcomes, as you know in your country” he said.

“So, I think a really important focus, of course, is, you know, to try and identify those areas where these outcomes are really weak and, perhaps, region specific, intervention are going to be needed — that’s one thought. And the other one, of course, is just getting — I agree that’s growth, you know, overall growth in the country as a whole to be much higher than it is at the moment,” he explained.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/border-closure-impacting-benin-niger-republics.html

Let their citizens chop their presidents, or perhaps, IMF could help instead of lamenting.

We are not big brother of Africa for nothing.

Abeg, even though I have plied through the Benin border enroute Ghana before? Is their any other land border we shared with Ghana that I am not aware of? Why are the Ghanaians crying more than the bereaved Beninese and Nigeriens?

IMF should bail them out. Enough of big brother bullshiit why our people suffered.

How's it affecting them?we'll like to know.

I have issues with alot of Buhari's (cabal) policies, however the closure of the land borders is a decision of the FG that must be applauded, I can't believe I am saying this but, Bubu, we are solidly behind you.

Good one

Who is imf,does she matter

Too many pressure on buhari to open the border.

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT WHO YOU ARE THINKING.

Who cares?

Local men are fed up, they couldn't hold their pains any longer.

Let them do the right thing.

All we want is for neighbours not renting their country as routes for dumping all manner of nonsense into Nigeria.

These neighbours should also show respect before we annex the and make them our colonies.

There is no need to open borders. We are okay as border closed. If company need our population, they should come to Nigeria to establish their company here. We have land for them and we have man power. We don't need parasites country . what are we benefit from Benin and Niger country?

They need to be very specific.
What regions in Nigeria have this extreme poverty and high mortality rates? What states could be found in those regions?

All these vague assumptions is the reason our leaders gets away with inefficiency.

The other day on the news, one of them claimed #30 is all you need..and sold it to the world.

That's why our former President was point blank when he said 'Call a thief a thief. Not describing it with corruption'. Those who were hurt begun the 'stealing is not corruption' mantra. But he is very right. Nigerians detest and avoid a person described as a thief far much more than they would a person described as a corrupt person.

Yeye IMF, sorry to them, our president is deaf to non-constructive criticisms and advice

I'm opposed to this border control...but must Benin and Niger eat at our expense?

By the way, why can't African governments diversify their economy? All African economies are one track minded....

You peop should open the border small, I'm tired of eating stoned rice biko

Ogadimma

To what extent is the border closure affecting the Countries mentioned

hmmm

Nigeria my father land

Ghanaians on nairaland you behave ooo

Those guys dey vex gan

That is how to treat a child that speaks ill of you and still feeds on you .

The border should remain closed until we are sufficient to feed ourselves ..

This is stark parasitism on display. Why must a nation have to depend on smuggling to survive
When Dangote said no nation having Benin Republic as neighbor will survive, some people were raining insults on the business tycoon.
It's now obvious for all to see

IMF and busy body. As if opened border is not threatening Nigeria's economy, security and even our wellbeing sef.

That's how they convinced the previous governments to make Nigerian citizens start paying money for education and health to stabilize our economy, where are we now?

Border remains closed.

Buhari job is to protect Nigeria's interest and not that of Benin, Niger or Ghana.

It might be a tough decision but I think we can leverage on this current situation to focus and strengthen local goods. It will definitely be a win for us all.

Buy Naija.