Algerian Minister of State for Energy, Mohamed Arkab, met with Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tiani in Niamey as part of a working visit to Niger, instructed by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. During the meeting, Arkab conveyed President Tebboune's fraternal greetings and wishes for the Nigerien people's progress and prosperity. He emphasized Algeria's commitment to strengthening brotherhood and cooperation ties between the two nations.
President Tiani tasked Arkab with conveying his greetings and appreciation to President Tebboune, reaffirming his country's willingness to enhance bilateral cooperation and support the South-South partnership and African cooperation. The meeting, attended by Algerian Ambassador to Niamey Ahmed Saadi and Sonatrach's CEO, Noureddine Dahoudi, reviewed cooperation relations between Algeria and Niger, particularly in the energy sector.
The two leaders discussed various projects embodying the partnership between the two countries, including Sonatrach's activities in Niger, specifically the exploration and production project in the Kifara oil block. President Tiani praised Algeria's expertise in the oil and gas industry and expressed Niger's desire to benefit from Sonatrach's experience in exploration, development, production, refining, and petrochemistry.
The meeting also touched on prospects for developing and exploiting new oil blocks proposed by Niger, including the Bilma block, as well as cooperation in refining, particularly the major maintenance work at the Zinder refinery. The two sides emphasized the importance of developing the partnership between Sonatrach and Niger's Société Nigérienne de Pétrole (SONIDEP) to include all stages of the energy industry.
The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project was another key topic, with President Tiani stressing its strategic importance for Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria, and its role in supporting economic and social development and promoting African energy integration. The two leaders agreed on the need for continued coordination to push forward the project's various stages.
Arkab reaffirmed Algeria's commitment to supporting Niger in developing its energy sector and enhancing cooperation between the two countries' specialized institutions, in line with President Tebboune's directives. The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen exchanges and identify new opportunities for cooperation and partnership.
In a press statement after the meeting, Arkab highlighted the importance of the talks, which covered strategic projects such as developing cooperation in exploration and production, and the potential for expanding this cooperation to other exploration blocks. He also emphasized the significance of marketing and valorizing Nigerien crude oil, with Sonatrach's expertise and negotiation support.
Key points
- Algeria and Niger have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, including oil and gas projects, and to develop the partnership between Sonatrach and SONIDEP.
