An Analysis of the Impact of Informal Cross Border Trade on Nigeria-Cameroon Foreign Relations

Abstract

This study analyses the impact of Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT) on Nigeria-Cameroon foreign relations. It is observed in the study that, Nigeria and Cameroon share a similar history, geography and a distinct cultural background, key to their social and economic relations. It is further noted that Nigeria plays a major role in Cameroon's history, sometimes influencing Anglophone Cameroon. Both countries are significant trading partners, but mostly informally, which has expanded in the post-independence period. This is attributed to the delinking of Nigeria from the British West African Sterling zone, as predominantly Francophone Cameroon, integrated in the semi-convertible France Zone. The cross-river region, with south-west Cameroon, has locational advantage in the cross border trade. Since the beginning of precolonial ties, Old Calabar in Nigeria and Douala in Cameroon were the foci that provided sea lanes for this trade. The paper holds that, Informal Cross Border Trade along Nigeria-Cameroon border has shaped the foreign relations between the two countries. The study applied territoriality theory to interpret the impact of ICBT on Nigeria-Cameroon foreign relations. The theory holds that; each sovereign state has authority to manage resources within its borders. The study used both primary and secondary sources. Sampling, a questionnaire and direct observation was employed. The study demonstrates that ICBT, enhances foreign relations between Nigeria and Cameroon. It also expands knowledge on the impact of ICBT on foreign relations.