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Burkina Faso Overtakes Niger at the Port Autonome de Cotonou: A Shifting Commercial Dynamic Published on 4 October 2026 by Lawing Tech Newsroom (3 min read)
The Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC) recorded a historic 52% increase in its traffic in 2025, reaching 14.7 million tonnes. Burkina Faso, now the leading transit market, is gradually replacing Niger, whose influence is declining despite stable oil traffic. This shift reflects a geopolitical and logistical reconfiguration in West Africa.
Video: LE PORT AUTONOME DE COTONOU: 60 ANS D'IMPACT ® (Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC), YouTube) Record Port Traffic Growth: Key Figures for 2025
The Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC) experienced spectacular growth in 2025, with total traffic rising from 9.6 million tonnes in 2024 to 14.7 million tonnes, a more than 52% increase in one year according to 24 Heures au Bénin . This performance is partly due to diversified flows, with transit now accounting for 39.2% of port traffic, as indicated by the PAC’s commercial department, cited by Afrikactus . Among the most transported goods, hydrocarbons dominate, with nearly one million tonnes destined for Burkina Faso in 2025.
Burkina Faso leads PAC transit markets in 2025, while Niger, despite an overall decline, retains its importance through oil transit via Sèmè-Podji.
Illustration: Burkina Faso (Africa_(orthographic_projection).svg: Martin23230 derivative work: F l a n k e r, derivative work: Flappiefh, CC BY-SA 3.0) Burkina Faso Becomes the Top Transit Partner, Niger Declines (Except for Oil)
Burkina Faso took the lead in PAC transit markets in 2025, surpassing Niger, the former leader, according to 24 Heures au Bénin . With 16% of transit traffic, the country benefited from a massive influx of goods, primarily hydrocarbons, while Niger, despite an overall decline, maintains its importance through oil transit via the Sèmè-Podji terminal. This terminal processes Nigerian crude oil for export, as highlighted by Afrikactus , noting that Benin continues to facilitate this transit subject to transit agreement compliance.
Illustration: Niger (Marcos Elias de Oliveira Júnior, Public domain) The Reconfiguration of ECOWAS and Its Impact on Commercial Flows
The exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS in January 2025 has accelerated a reshaping of logistics corridors, as explained by Afrikactus . Political and security tensions have impacted the Cotonou-Niamey corridor, prompting landlocked countries to diversify their partnerships. Nigeria, facing congestion issues in its own ports, now uses Cotonou as an alternative, while Chad is exploring a logistics partnership with Benin to secure its maritime supplies.
What this means here: opportunities and challenges for businesses and administrations in the sub-region
For Beninese businesses and public administrations, this dynamic presents development opportunities in the logistics and oil sectors. The PAC could strengthen its position as a regional hub if its infrastructure is adapted to increased traffic, particularly for Burkinabé and Nigerian transit. However, security and geopolitical challenges remain: tensions with Niger could disrupt flows, while dependence on hydrocarbons exposes the port to price volatility and international agreement fluctuations. Administrations must also ensure that new corridors (such as the one planned with Chad) are secure and compliant with regional regulations.
Private actors, for their part, could capitalize on this growth by investing in complementary services (warehousing, river transport, customs digitization) to optimize the logistics chain. Diversifying partnerships, as seen with Nigeria, could also reduce the PAC’s vulnerability to local crises.
Sources Prepared by Lawing Tech's technology watch from the sources cited. Our editorial charter
