ABUJA, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Nigeria has granted presidential
approval to Dangote Cement DANGCEM.LG and BUA Cement
BUACEMENT.LG to export cement through its land borders, which
have been closed for more than a year to check smuggling, a
customs spokesman said on Tuesday.
Nigeria closed its land borders last year to curb smuggling
of rice and arms, which it says threatens efforts to boost local
production and security, and to generate state revenues through
import duties.
Joseph Atta, spokesman for the Nigerian Customs, said
Dangote Cement, BUA Cement and a gas exporter received
presidential approval to export to countries in West Africa
following diplomatic engagements.
Atta told Reuters that discussions to reopen the borders
were ongoing. Nigeria has not provided a timeline for reopening
its borders after it closed them to all movement of goods.
Dangote Cement said on Monday during its result call that it
restarted cement exports by road to countries within the West
African sub-region in the third quarter after 10 months of
border closure.
In 2019, Dangote Cement had said export volumes were
affected by the border closure. Nigeria has met with its West African neighbours over the
borders closure and insisted on levying duties on goods
transiting to its country through neighbouring nations to curb
smuggling.