On May 15, Benin’s President Patrice Talon met with the Director General of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to discuss the Benin-Niger export pipeline, a project crucial for the transportation of Nigerien oil to international markets. Following the meeting, Benin’s Energy Minister announced that Benin had granted a temporary and provisional authorization for the first ship to load oil at the Sèmè platform, a decision made after a request from Nigerien customs to be involved in the loading operations.

However, this authorization is not a signal for the commencement of full-scale exploitation activities. The Minister underscored that the normal operations of the pipeline require a proper diplomatic framework between the two countries and reiterated the importance of reopening the Nigerien border, which remains closed due to security concerns.

The first ship is scheduled to load the oil within 36 hours, but the broader issues between Niger and Benin need to be addressed for the pipeline to function regularly. To facilitate this, CNPC has called for a meeting of the Benin-Niger inter-state committee, though a date for this meeting has not been confirmed. Benin has agreed to participate, and a Chinese delegation is set to visit Niamey to secure support from Nigerien authorities to resolve the ongoing issues and move the project forward.