Because of its status as a transport hub, Cotonou has become a crossroads of
West African commerce, with much trade moving here from Abidjan because of the Ivorian
Civil War. The city is a so-called "market town," enabling trade with
the countries of the African interior, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
In addition to the port, there is a free trade zone in the interior of the city
for use by the landlocked Saharan states. However, the city is rife with
corruption and illegal trade, especially with neighboring Nigeria. It can be
considered the economic capital as it houses two-thirds of Benin's industries
and
