It's just a bomb, or how Benin's petrol mafia works

Benin, a country on the Gulf of Guinea, has had an illegal gasoline trading network for decades.

The Government of Benin is unable to provide the number of legal and safe petrol stations that the population requires. Moreover, fuel prices in Benin cannot compete with prices in neighboring Nigeria, where fuel is much cheaper (Nigeria is the leader in gasoline production in Africa). This economic situation created favorable conditions for the development of an entire mafia network. Illegal traders buy fuel in Nigeria, then transport it across the border and distribute it themselves right on the roadsides of Benin. Prices at such "gas stations" are two times lower than at state-owned stations.

(Total 20 photos)

Photo: Javier Corso

Over the past decades, the bosses of gasoline traffic have gained enormous influence in the country. The politicians have capitulated to them, and the police are turning a blind eye to illegal distribution thanks to bribes. Too many people, including women, children and even the disabled, depend on this business.

Henry Asogba is the boss of one of the largest carrier groups. In the complex hierarchy of the illegal fuel business, Henry's position is at the second level.

Fuel is most often transported in fragile metal canisters using two-wheeled vehicles. Carriers of gasoline in Benin were nicknamed "walking bombs": at the slightest accident, they can blow up not only themselves, but also cause serious harm to others.

Gasoline is purchased near the border using the local currency, the Nigerian Naira.

The illicit fuel route begins in Nigeria, where traders buy cheap gasoline. The border with Benin has a total length of 800 kilometers, so that illegal immigrants have dozens of roads along which they can freely transport fuel into the country. Recently, even official checkpoints have ceased to be a problem if the carrier has the opportunity to pay border guards.

The sons of one of the carriers help their father load the purchased fuel into the car.

It is equally beneficial for law enforcement agencies in Benin and Nigeria to allow carriers to pass at the border - thanks to bribes, they significantly increase their own income.

Fuel is often transported by water.

While gasoline is in Nigeria, all loading takes place at night. This is done to avoid inspection by the local Nigerian police, which treats illegal traffic many times more strictly than the Beninese services.

Parking Benin carriers who are waiting at the border for the next batch of fuel.

Once in Benin, carriers distribute fuel to buyers. The business is well organized and strictly regulated by leaders at different levels: district, county and city. The stalls are located along the streets and roads. Everyone in Benin has a relative or acquaintance who is associated with illegal traffic, because the income from such work is several times higher than from service for the state.

Transfer of goods to the merchant.

As a rule, women are responsible for outlets.

Children also take part in the gasoline business. Their task is to pour fuel from metal canisters into plastic ones. For a long time they have to work among harmful fumes, which often cause serious health problems.

Due to the high level of unemployment, illegal business is organically introduced into the local economy. Every year it brings in billions of francs (the national currency of Benin is the CFA franc), each of which passes by the state treasury. If the government tried to block the illegal traffic and distribution of gasoline, it could cause a major popular revolution. As a result, it turns out that the whole country depends on illegal business.