(Ecofin Agency) - Traffic in the port of Cotonou dropped by 1.85% last year to 10.09 million tons, against 10.28 million tons in 2018. The volume is also down the 11 million tons authorities in Benin were expecting for the period.

According to the Port Authority (PAC), this decline, driven by external factors, negatively impacted the second half of 2019, which had started with a tonnage of 5.98 million against 5.55 million the same period of 2018.

The main factor is the closure of the Nigerian borders which led to a drop in traffic volumes in all segments except those of RORO and export, which recorded an increase, according to PAC.

In 2019, total import tonnage (including transshipment) stood at 8.7 million tons against 9.1 million ton in 2018 (-5%), while export traffic, mainly cotton and nuts, grew by 12% YoY to 1.33 million tons.

Activities within the port account for 90% of trade and up to 60% of Benin's GDP. The port authority also contributes sharply to customs revenue (between 80% and 85%) and tax revenue (between 45% and 50%).

Romuald Ngueyap