On Sunday, Niger received about fifty tanker trucks loaded with gasoline coming from Algeria, in the first operation of its kind to supply the Nigerien market with Algerian fuel, coinciding with the arrival of an Algerian military convoy to the Arlit region in the northwest of the country, in the context of moves aimed at protecting Algerian economic and strategic interests in Niger..
The total tonnage of the shipment is estimated at approximately 1,600 tons, equivalent to one million and 600 thousand liters of gasoline, originating from the Sabaa refinery in Adrar state. It was directed to supply the Nigerian market and alleviate the tensions recorded in the field of supply of petroleum products.
The truck reception ceremony took place at the regional fuel depot in the city of Agadez, in the presence of the Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Hamadou Teni, the governor of the region, General Bulama Issa Ibra, andAlgerian Ambassador to Niger, Saadi AhmedAnd the General Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Company “Sonedeep”, along with administrative officials in the region.
On this occasion, the Nigerian authorities expressed their gratitude to the Algerian authorities, led by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, for facilitating, accelerating and securing the logistical aspects associated with sending the convoy.
In a speech on the occasion, the Nigerian Minister of Petroleum, Hamadou Tenni, stressed the quality of bilateral relations between the two countries, noting that the process reflects the level of rapprochement between Algeria and Niger. He explained that the current tensions recorded in the field of gasoline and diesel supply in his country fall within the context of a global crisis characterized by conflicts and disturbances in supply chains and price fluctuations.
For his part, the Algerian Ambassador to Niger, Saadi Ahmed, considered that the receipt of the shipment, coinciding with the seventy-second anniversary of the outbreak of the revolution of November 1, 1954, constitutes “a new embodiment of the depth of the ties that unite Algeria and Niger, as two neighboring countries linked by ties of history, geography, and common interests, especially fraternal relations based on solidarity and mutual trust.”
The ambassador explained that the operation came as a result of the difficulties faced by Niger in the field of fuel supply, adding that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune decided, as soon as he learned of the situation, to urgently send a shipment of gasoline to Niger, without the Nigerien authorities requesting it, which, according to him, reflects the positive dynamic that characterizes relations between the two countries.
Saadi also praised the Nigerian President, Head of State, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Tiani, for his interest in strengthening bilateral relations and his commitment to establishing a partnership based on mutual respect, trust and the convergence of strategic interests, while respecting national sovereignty, to which both countries attach great importance.
The Algerian fuel convoy arrived in the city of Agadez on the evening of Saturday, October 31, coinciding with the arrival of an Algerian military convoy in the Arlit region, according to what was reported. Reuters agency In a report published on October 30, based on interviews with ten people. The agency described the move as the first deployment of Algerian forces outside the country since Algeria’s support for Egypt during the 1973 October War.
On October 25, the Algerian Parliament, with both chambers, approved the request of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to send units of the People’s National Army to Niger, in response to the request of the Nigerien authorities, with the aim of securing Algerian projects and investments, especially the facilities affiliated with the Sonatrach complex.
This procedure is based on Article 91 of the Constitution, which regulates the sending of army units abroad, and requires the approval of two-thirds of the members of each of the two chambers of Parliament. The Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, had presented the request to members of the National Assembly in the presence of military leaders, before completing the request. Authentication procedures at the National People’s Assembly level.
Members of the National Assembly affirmed that the mission of the military units falls within the framework of protecting Algerian investments, economic and strategic interests in Niger, at the request of the authorities of this country, and in a way that serves common interests, security and stability in the region.
These moves are important in view of Algerian energy interests in Niger, most notably Sonatrach projects, as well as the trans-Saharan gas pipeline project, which links Algeria to Niger and Nigeria, and aims to transport African gas towards Europe and other international markets.
The Kafra region, located in the Agadez region near the southern border of Algeria, stands out among the most prominent sites of Sonatrach’s exploration activity in Niger, where the company has been active since 2005 through its international exploration and production branch, “Sebax.”
In the region, Sonatrach completed a two-dimensional seismic survey extending over 2,200 kilometers, and a three-dimensional survey covering an area of 760 square kilometers, and also drilled two exploratory wells during the years 2018 and 2019, one of which, the “Kafra-1” well, led to confirming the oil potential of the region.
On April 15, 2026, the Nigerian authorities decided to extend the evaluation period for the Kafra license for an additional two years, with the aim of determining the extent of the oil reservoirs and evaluating their development potential. Also, on August 13, 2026, drilling work for the “Kafra South East-1” well began, which is the first in a program that includes four exploratory wells, to be completed by the National Drilling Company, affiliated with Sonatrach, in partnership with the Nigerian side.
These developments reflect the overlapping dimensions of energy, economic and security cooperation between Algeria and Niger, at a time when Algeria seeks to protect its investments and strategic projects, and contribute to supporting security and stability in the Sahel region, while emphasizing respect for the sovereignty of countries and strengthening regional cooperation.
