Niger to Build New Oil Refinery to Boost Energy Independence in the Sahel

Nigerien authorities have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian company Zimar to build a new oil refinery and petrochemical complex in the Dosso region. This agreement was made on October 24, 2024, to improve energy independence in the Sahel region.

Niger’s leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, has ordered the construction of the refinery to be in Dosso, which is located approximately 140 kilometres southeast of the capital, Niamey, near the borders with Benin and Nigeria.

The country currently has one operational refinery, the Soraz refinery, located near Zinder. Soraz has a capacity of 20,000 barrels per day and primarily serves the domestic market by producing gasoline, diesel, and liquefied natural gas. The new refinery will have a higher capacity of 100,000 barrels per day, however.

The decision was made to reduce Niger’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products while creating new jobs in the energy sector. It was first announced in April 2024. Petrol Minister Mahaman Moustapha Barke stated that with the new refinery, Niger’s diesel shipments to Mali would increase from 22 million litres to 150 million litres per year. The refinery will also supply diesel to Burkina Faso, the third Alliance of Sahel States (AES) member.

This development reflects a deeper collaboration among the juntas leading Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, which have exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The Dosso refinery is expected to strengthen the partnership and provide essential energy supplies to the region.

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