Nigeria is normal episode 736: tariff waivers.
The story is pretty common in these parts and can be summarized like this: Nigerians want to import some good X. Nigerian policy makers want to prevent Nigerians from importing that good X and increases tariffs on it. Politically connected consumer of good X solves some math and calculates that if they can get an exemption from the tariffs they could make a decent return from arbitrage, or get a leg up on competitors. Politically connected consumer is willing to invest some of those profits in convincing whoever makes the decision on exemptions. That investment could be straight up corruption or its “clean” sibling, lobbying.
“But constantly up-in-the-air trade agreements and the byzantine, opaque exclusion process has been a blessing for one set of players: Washington’s influence industry, including the firms of former Trump officials and allies like inauguration committee chief Brian Ballard, former White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and Trump fundraiser Marc Lampkin.
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Companies with enough resources and savvy can not only push their own cases, they can work to undermine those of competitors .”
How Trump’s Trade War Is Making Lobbyists Rich And Slamming Small Businesses
Too often we think our challenges are unique and that we are special in some way. Truth is, at least for most things, we are as normal as it gets and respond to incentives and opportunities just like everyone else. Which of course means solutions to these problems do not have to be rocket science. Taking context into account of course. Do read the linked article. It is very eye opening.