Benin hit by neighbouring Nigeria's car import ban

There hasn't been a single customer since December, when neighbouring Nigeria banned car imports by land as part of a wave of protectionist policies that are strangling Benin's economy. This afternoon, Hijazi -- who, like the vast majority of car dealers in Benin, is Lebanese -- called in his Beninese accountant to help close up shop. "I lost in one year what I have earned in 16," Ali Assi, another car dealer, told AFP.