Cross-border trade in crisis situations Banki (Nigeria) and Amchidé (Cameroon) corridor

ABSTRACT : This study examines the challenges of cross-border trade in agricultural products in a context of security crisis along the Cameroon–Nigeria border, focusing on the markets of Banki and Amchidé. The main objective is to analyse the institutional, administrative, logistical, security and sanitary constraints affecting the governance and performance of cross-border trade, and to identify policy-relevant pathways to enhance its sustainability and contribution to local development. The central problem lies in persistent structural dysfunctions, including weak inter-agency coordination, porous borders, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity linked to armed groups, and the absence of effective sanitary and veterinary control mechanisms, which together foster informality and heighten economic and health risks. The study adopts a qualitative methodological approach based on semi-structured interviews with key informants, field observations and focus group discussions, enabling a contextualised analysis of local socio-economic and security dynamics. The findings indicate that although cross-border trade remains a critical economic lifeline for border communities and has experienced a noticeable recovery following the reopening of trade corridors, its long-term viability continues to be undermined by governance gaps, persistent insecurity and unresolved sanitary risks. The study concludes that an integrated approach combining institutional strengthening, corridor security, infrastructure modernisation, improved sanitary surveillance and greater involvement of local actors is essential to transform cross-border trade into a sustainable driver of stabilisation and development in the Lake Chad Basin.