Algeria Strengthens Energy Presence in Niger: Minister Arkab Leads High-Level Talks on Strategic Cooperation

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | February 10th, 2025 — In a significant step toward reinforcing Algeria’s strategic energy footprint in Africa, Minister of State, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies, Mohamed Arkab, held high-level discussions on Monday with Niger’s Minister of Petroleum, Sani Issoufou Mahamadou, at the ministry’s headquarters in Algiers. The meeting, which brought together key officials from both nations, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector, with an emphasis on joint exploration, refining, petrochemicals, and cross-border energy projects.

Accompanying the Nigerien delegation was Minister of Water Resources, Sanitation, and Environment, Colonel Mizama Abdallah, alongside senior executives from Niger’s Ministry of Petroleum and the country’s national oil company, SONIDEP. The discussions underscored the deep historical and brotherly ties between Algeria and Niger, reaffirming their commitment to collaborative energy development.

At the heart of the talks was the review of ongoing joint projects outlined under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Algeria’s Sonatrach and Niger’s SONIDEP on October 1, 2024. The two sides assessed progress in research, exploration, and hydrocarbon production, in addition to key initiatives in refining, petrochemicals, and the marketing and distribution of petroleum products.

Strategic Roadmap for Energy Development

A major highlight of the meeting was the follow-up on recent visits by Sonatrach delegations to Niamey, which culminated in the signing of a formal record of proceedings on January 14, 2025, between Sonatrach and SONIDEP. The agreement paved the way for the establishment of two specialized subcommittees. The first committee is tasked with supporting Niger in launching an ambitious refinery and petrochemical complex in the city of Dosso, while the second committee will oversee project management, contract execution, and the development of legal frameworks essential to strengthening Niger’s petroleum sector.

Minister Arkab reaffirmed Algeria’s unwavering commitment to supporting its Nigerien counterparts in energy sector development. He emphasized the critical role of knowledge transfer, pledging specialized training programs tailored to enhance the capabilities of Niger’s technical workforce. Algeria, he stated, remains dedicated to sharing its decades-long expertise to bolster Niger’s energy sector and advance regional economic integration.

Expressing his appreciation for Algeria’s technical and logistical support, Minister Mahamadou lauded Sonatrach’s invaluable contributions to Niger’s oil industry. He highlighted the instrumental role of Algerian training programs, particularly those conducted at the Algerian Petroleum Institute, in equipping Nigerien engineers and technicians with world-class expertise in the hydrocarbons sector.

Advancing the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) Project

A key component of the discussions was the strategic Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project, an ambitious initiative designed to connect Nigeria’s vast gas reserves to European markets through Niger and Algeria. Both parties underscored the importance of maintaining momentum on the project, with a commitment to continued trilateral meetings involving Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria. The focus remains on finalizing the technical, financial, and regulatory aspects of the pipeline to ensure its successful implementation.

In a tangible demonstration of the growing technical collaboration between the two countries, Sonatrach’s CEO officially handed over laboratory analysis results of Nigerien crude oil samples tested in Algeria. This exchange marked a milestone in bilateral cooperation, showcasing Algeria’s advanced technological capabilities in petroleum analysis and reinforcing trust between the two national oil companies.

As part of the visit, the Nigerien delegation is scheduled to hold a series of high-level meetings with Sonatrach executives, alongside field visits to major hydrocarbon facilities across Algeria. The engagements are expected to further solidify the partnership between Sonatrach and SONIDEP, driving forward their shared vision for a prosperous and interconnected African energy market.

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