By Ayodele Oni
Benin Republic President Patrice Talon, has charged African nations to integrate in order to survive U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies.
Referencing changing global trade dynamics, President Talon particularly cited U.S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist policies as a signal for African nations to prioritise their interests.
“The trade war should remind us that nations act in their interest, and so should we. At some point, we may even have to thank President Trump for that reminder.”
Talon urged West African leaders to move from talk to action.
“If we cannot create wealth and opportunity, all our other values—democracy, liberty—cannot be sustained. Integration must be real. Integration must be delivered.
Talon spoke in Abuja, Nigeria at the signing of an integration agreement between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
President Talon called for urgent reforms to rescue West Africa’s stalled regional integration, describing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as “in crisis.”
“ECOWAS is a perfect example of regional integration. Unfortunately, our ECOWAS is in crisis right now.”
He cited the West African Gas Pipeline, which was designed to enhance regional energy cooperation, as an example of failure due to administrative bottlenecks.
“It is ridiculous. This failure of regional cooperation wastes resources and undermines integration.”
As a result of these delays, Talon said Benin has had to source gas from Qatar via a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU).
On the West African Power Pool, another regional initiative, he said:
“We invested heavily in this infrastructure. But it is not functioning as expected. Unless we act decisively, I’m not confident it ever will.”
President Talon also addressed logistical obstacles along the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, which unnecessary border checks and harassment have hampered.
“The road exists. But a businessman should be able to travel from Lagos to Abidjan in hours—not days—without facing harassment at multiple checkpoints. That is not integration,” the Beninois leader declared.
He warned that poverty remains the region’s most dangerous destabilising force.
”Poverty is the main threat to democracy, security, and stability. If we do not address poverty through integration, our values will remain hollow.”
“President Tinubu and I have agreed on full integration between Benin and Nigeria. The responsibility now lies with our ministers to implement it.
“Benin and Nigeria are more than twins—we are the same people. Let us show the region that integration is possible.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, signed the agreement, alongside Benin’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Shegun Adjadi Bakari.
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