The Nigerien government has established a technical committee to oversee the management of petroleum product supply crises and the restructuring of cross-debts in the sector. The committee was inaugurated on October 12, 2026, at the office of Prime Minister Mahaman Ali Lamine Zeine. The committee's primary objective is to ensure a continuous supply of hydrocarbons across the country.
The committee is mandated to guarantee the availability of petroleum products, enhance production at the Société de raffinage de Zinder (SORAZ), and settle accumulated debts between the state and key players in the petroleum chain within three months. The committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, will coordinate actions between the state and sector operators to address supply difficulties and financial constraints.
The committee will identify obstacles hindering the production, transportation, and distribution of petroleum products and propose corrective measures to restore and maintain the availability of diesel, gasoline, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) nationwide. It will also work to increase SORAZ's processing capacity from 15,000 to 20,000 barrels per day in collaboration with the China National Petroleum Corporation Niger Petroleum (CNPCNP).
One of the committee's key tasks is to structure and clear cross-debts between the state, the Société nigérienne des produits pétroliers (SONIDEP), the Société nigérienne d'électricité (NIGELEC), SORAZ, and CNPCNP. The committee will update debt and claim amounts established by a previous ad hoc committee and conduct audits where necessary.
A concrete three-month debt clearance plan will be developed and monitored, prioritizing the state's debt to SONIDEP and SONIDEP's debt to SORAZ. The committee will ensure that the debt does not increase further by implementing mechanisms to prevent new arrears in the supply chain.
The committee will also propose a compensation mechanism for import-related differentials while controlling imported gasoline and LPG volumes. It will monitor daily stock levels, SORAZ deliveries, imports, and potential shortages by locality.
The committee's activities will be crucial in maintaining the government's decision to keep pump prices stable. A 30-day supply program will be developed to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products across the country.
Key points
- The committee aims to settle accumulated debts between the state and key players in the petroleum chain within three months.
- The committee will work to increase SORAZ's processing capacity from 15,000 to 20,000 barrels per day.
- The committee will propose a compensation mechanism for import-related differentials to maintain stable pump prices.
