Diesel : Togo and Chad Explore AES Avenues
In order to address the energy supply issues, Togo and Chad are seeking assistance from the Sahel States Alliance (AES) countries, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, to benefit from diesel supply.
With the aim of finding a sustainable solution to the energy crisis faced by Togo and Chad, a meeting was held on February 17 in the capital of Niger, Niamey.
Ultimately, a memorandum of understanding was signed for the supply of diesel by Niger to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad.
The meeting was initiated by the Nigerien Minister of Petroleum, Mines, and Energy, Mahaman Moustapha BARKE BAKO, and chaired by the Nigerien Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Zene.
« This meeting is an important milestone in the process initiated by our countries to take charge, even more so by ourselves, of our common issues, particularly the crucial ones. I am confident that the objectives set for this meeting will be achieved, God willing, especially by agreeing on an adequate and lasting agreement for the supply of diesel and establishing a roadmap for the realization of a major common project in terms of production and access to solar-powered electricity », he declared during his intervention.
Indeed, the focus of this meeting remains the resolution of issues related to the diesel supply of these countries. In this regard, the communique issued at the meeting highlighted the development of a roadmap to address crucial energy problems.
Furthermore, the energy ministers of the 5 countries adopted this roadmap to revitalize and implement the « Desert To Power» project. It was also decided that the meeting would soon be expanded to include the ministers responsible for mines.
Additionally, the ministers participating in the meeting recommended considering the concerns of all the countries involved. These concerns include a review of the route of the Trans-Saharan High Voltage Backbone and the list of priority action projects should take into account Togo and internal extension to Chad.
To address this, the Niamey meeting proposed a new route for the lines involving Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad with a branch to Togo. It is also recommended to establish a permanent framework for exchanges, at the level of strategic guidance and operational level to facilitate the handling of all issues related to project implementation.
Togo has not yet signed an agreement with Niger on gas supply, as discussions are still ongoing. It should be noted that Togo is not a member of the Sahel States Alliance (AES), just like Chad. Furthermore, Togolese authorities explain that this meeting was not related to this organization.
