Niger is a landlocked country located in West Africa, bordered by several countries including Algeria to the northwest, Libya to the northeast, Chad to the east, Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso to the southwest, and Mali to the west. Due to its lack of direct access to the sea, Niger does not have traditional sea ports. However, it still has other types of ports and border crossings:
- River Ports: Despite being landlocked, Niger benefits from the navigable portions of the Niger River, which flows through its southwestern region. River ports along the Niger River serve as crucial points for inland transportation and trade. The most significant river port in Niger is at Niamey, the capital city, which serves as a vital hub for goods and passenger traffic.
- Inland Terminals: Inland terminals play a vital role in Niger’s transportation network, facilitating the movement of goods to and from neighboring countries. These terminals are often located in major cities and serve as hubs for the distribution of goods within the country. Inland terminals integrate road and rail networks to transport cargo efficiently, connecting Niger with neighboring countries and regional trade corridors.
- Border Crossings: Niger has several border crossings with its neighboring countries, which are essential for land-based trade and travel. These border crossings facilitate the movement of goods and people between Niger and its neighbors. Major border crossings include:
- Malanville: This border crossing links Niger with Benin and serves as a key trade route between the two countries.
- Birini Konni: Located on the border with Nigeria, Birini Konni facilitates trade and travel between Niger and Nigeria, two important economic partners in the region.
- Ayorou: Situated on the border with Mali, Ayorou serves as a crossing point for trade and travel between Niger and Mali, enhancing economic ties between the two countries.
List of Largest Ports Near to Niger
| Port Name | Country | Types of Cargo Ships | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Cotonou | Benin | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 800 |
| Port of Lagos | Nigeria | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 700 |
| Port of Abidjan | Ivory Coast | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 600 |
| Port of Lomé | Togo | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 500 |
| Port of Tema | Ghana | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 400 |
| Port of Douala | Cameroon | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 300 |
| Port of Takoradi | Ghana | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 250 |
| Port of Pointe-Noire | Republic of Congo | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 200 |
| Port of Matadi | Democratic Republic of Congo | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 150 |
| Port of Libreville | Gabon | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 120 |
| Port of Port Harcourt | Nigeria | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 100 |
| Port of Calabar | Nigeria | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 80 |
| Port of Warri | Nigeria | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 70 |
| Port of Conakry | Guinea | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 60 |
| Port of Banjul | The Gambia | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 50 |
Major Ports Serving Niger
1. Cotonou Port (Benin)
Cotonou Port is one of the busiest and most important ports for Niger. Located on the coast of Benin, it is a vital access point for goods traveling into and out of Niger, as it is directly connected by road and rail to many other countries in West Africa. The port handles a wide variety of cargo, including containers, bulk goods, and petroleum products. The port also serves as an entry point for goods being imported to landlocked countries like Niger.
City Location: Cotonou, Benin
Latitude: 6.3650° N
Longitude: 2.4290° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Parakou | 300 | N1 |
| Porto-Novo | 27 | N2 |
| Ouidah | 40 | N1 |
| Dassa-Zoumè | 130 | N3 |
| Abomey | 120 | N4 |
| Natitingou | 300 | N6 |
| Niamey (Niger) | 1,300 | N1 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Cotonou Railway Station (Benin)
- Parakou Railway Station (Benin)
- Porto-Novo Railway Station (Benin)
- Ouidah Railway Station (Benin)
- Dassa-Zoumè Railway Station (Benin)
2. Lagos Port (Nigeria)
Lagos Port, located in Nigeria, is one of the busiest and largest ports in West Africa. It serves as a major hub for trade and shipping, particularly for imports of industrial goods, machinery, and raw materials. As a significant port for Niger’s trade, Lagos provides an important connection for goods entering or leaving the country. The port’s infrastructure is continually being improved, making it a critical center for Niger’s imports, especially petroleum and manufactured products.
City Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Latitude: 6.5244° N
Longitude: 3.3792° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Abeokuta | 100 | A5 |
| Ibadan | 130 | A1 |
| Benin City | 300 | A2 |
| Onitsha | 450 | A3 |
| Enugu | 500 | A3 |
| Sokoto | 1,100 | A1 |
| Niamey (Niger) | 1,250 | A2 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Lagos Railway Station (Nigeria)
- Abeokuta Railway Station (Nigeria)
- Ibadan Railway Station (Nigeria)
- Benin City Railway Station (Nigeria)
- Onitsha Railway Station (Nigeria)
3. Togo Port (Togo)
Togo Port, situated in the country’s capital, Lomé, is an important trade hub for Niger. This port serves as a primary point of entry for goods that are shipped from Europe, Asia, and the Americas to landlocked nations like Niger. The port of Lomé is well-equipped for handling bulk cargo, containers, and heavy equipment, and it is well-connected to West African land routes that bring goods to and from Niger.
City Location: Lomé, Togo
Latitude: 6.1376° N
Longitude: 1.2121° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Kpalimé | 120 | N1 |
| Atakpamé | 150 | N2 |
| Aneho | 30 | N3 |
| Sokodé | 300 | N4 |
| Kara | 550 | N1 |
| Cotonou (Benin) | 150 | N2 |
| Niamey (Niger) | 1,100 | N2 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Lomé Railway Station (Togo)
- Kpalimé Railway Station (Togo)
- Atakpamé Railway Station (Togo)
- Cotonou Railway Station (Benin)
- Niamey Railway Station (Niger)
4. Abidjan Port (Ivory Coast)
Abidjan Port is located on the southern coast of the Ivory Coast and is a key port for trade in West Africa. Although it is somewhat further from Niger, it remains an important gateway for goods such as agricultural products, chemicals, and machinery. The port is well-connected by road and rail to several West African countries, including Niger, and plays a major role in the region’s trade network.
City Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Latitude: 5.3430° N
Longitude: 4.0244° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| San Pedro | 360 | A1 |
| Yamoussoukro | 230 | A3 |
| Bouaké | 350 | A3 |
| Daloa | 450 | A5 |
| Grand-Bassam | 40 | A6 |
| Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) | 1,000 | A2 |
| Niamey (Niger) | 1,200 | A1 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Abidjan Railway Station (Ivory Coast)
- San Pedro Railway Station (Ivory Coast)
- Yamoussoukro Railway Station (Ivory Coast)
- Bouaké Railway Station (Ivory Coast)
- Ouagadougou Railway Station (Burkina Faso)
5. Tema Port (Ghana)
Tema Port is located near the capital city of Accra, Ghana. It is one of the largest and busiest ports in West Africa. Tema handles various cargo types, including containers, bulk goods, and petroleum products, and serves as a key entry point for goods into Niger. The port is well-equipped with modern infrastructure and is linked to Niger through well-established transport routes, facilitating trade between the two nations.
City Location: Tema, Ghana
Latitude: 5.6010° N
Longitude: 0.0322° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Accra | 25 | N1 |
| Kumasi | 230 | N6 |
| Takoradi | 240 | N1 |
| Sekondi | 220 | N2 |
| Ho | 90 | N4 |
| Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) | 1,200 | N5 |
| Niamey (Niger) | 1,500 | N6 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Tema Railway Station (Ghana)
- Accra Railway Station (Ghana)
- Kumasi Railway Station (Ghana)
- Takoradi Railway Station (Ghana)
- Sekondi Railway Station (Ghana)
6. Conakry Port (Guinea)
Conakry Port, located on the Atlantic coast of Guinea, serves as an important outlet for trade in the region. Although it is a significant distance from Niger, Conakry remains a key trade route for goods, particularly raw materials such as minerals, timber, and agricultural products. The port plays a critical role in connecting Niger to other countries in West Africa.
City Location: Conakry, Guinea
Latitude: 9.5095° N
Longitude: 13.7127° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Kindia | 135 | N1 |
| Mamou | 200 | N2 |
| Faranah | 330 | N3 |
| Boké | 220 | N4 |
| Kankan | 600 | N5 |
| Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) | 1,000 | N6 |
| Niamey (Niger) | 1,150 | N1 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Conakry Railway Station (Guinea)
- Kindia Railway Station (Guinea)
- Mamou Railway Station (Guinea)
- Faranah Railway Station (Guinea)
- Kankan Railway Station (Guinea)
7. Banjul Port (The Gambia)
Banjul Port, located in The Gambia, is an important port for the region’s trade. The port handles a wide range of goods, from containers to bulk cargo. Despite being located on the Atlantic Ocean, the port is well-connected to neighboring regions in West Africa, including Niger, through land transport routes.
City Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Latitude: 13.4541° N
Longitude: 16.5775° W
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Serrekunda | 25 | N1 |
| Brikama | 45 | N1 |
| Farafenni | 175 | N2 |
| Basse | 300 | N3 |
| Ziguinchor (Senegal) | 170 | N4 |
| Tambacounda (Senegal) | 450 | N5 |
| Niamey (Niger) | 1,700 | N6 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Banjul Railway Station (The Gambia)
- Serrekunda Railway Station (The Gambia)
- Brikama Railway Station (The Gambia)
- Ziguinchor Railway Station (Senegal)
- Tambacounda Railway Station (Senegal)