Niger : Ministerial reorganization to boost the energy sector
The President of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Nation (CNSP), Abdourahamane Tiani, has announced a ministerial reshuffle in the mining and energy sector in Niger.
This strategic reorganization comes as the country seeks to increase its production and exports of oil, notably with the inauguration of the pipeline to Benin and a recent agreement for diesel supply with three neighboring countries.
The previously unified Ministry of Petroleum, Mines, and Energy has been divided into three separate entities. Barké Bako Mahaman Moustapha continues to lead the Ministry of Petroleum, while Colonel Commissioner Ousmane Abarchi heads the Ministry of Mines, and Amadou Haoua takes charge of Energy. This specialization illustrates a more targeted management strategy for these key sectors.
This reorganization aims to support Niger’s growing ambitions in oil production, symbolized by the inauguration of the pipeline to Benin. This infrastructure is expected to significantly increase national oil production, thus contributing to the economic growth anticipated by the African Development Bank (AfDB) at 11.2% for 2024.
Meanwhile, facing political and security challenges and in response to ECOWAS sanctions after the military coup in July 2023, Niger is seeking to strengthen its regional alliances.
The diesel supply agreement with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad illustrates this willingness to deepen regional energy cooperation, with the possibility of including Togo in this agreement in the future.
