Niger faces unprecedented gasoline shortage
An escalating supply crisis
Since the beginning of the month, Niger has been experiencing an unprecedented shortage of Super, the most widely consumed gasoline in the country. The situation is particularly critical in and around the capital Niamey, where service stations are struggling to keep up with growing demand.
At a service station in the capital, pump attendant Amadou Sani bears witness to the scale of the crisis:
“They’ve realized we’re out of gas,” he says, gesturing to motorists forced to turn back.
A service station manager on the outskirts of Niamey confirms the prevailing uncertainty:
“Our tanks have been dry for three days, and no one knows when refuelling will be possible.
La Soraz, a refinery outstripped by demand
Niger has a single refinery, Soraz, which is struggling to meet domestic demand. According to the Société nigérienne des produits pétroliers (Sonidep), this demand has been exploding for over a year, exceeding current production capacity.
Despite its oil resources, Niger has limited refining capacity, making it vulnerable to supply tensions. Soraz, which produces mainly for the local market, now seems overwhelmed by the rapid increase in consumption.
Major economic and social impacts
This shortage affects not only economic activities, but also the daily lives of citizens. Transport is becoming more difficult, fares are rising, and queues are lengthening in front of stations that are still supplied.
For small businesses dependent on transport, the situation could quickly translate into major financial losses. Cab drivers and shopkeepers are worried about the days ahead, fearing that the crisis could worsen if no solution is found quickly.
Any solutions in sight?
For the moment, the Niger authorities have not specified an emergency plan to respond to this crisis. However, several avenues could be explored, including :
- Increase imports to compensate for insufficient production.
- Strengthen Soraz’s capacity through investment in refining infrastructure.
- Implement temporary rationing measures to prevent the complete exhaustion of remaining stocks.
Conclusion
The current gasoline shortage in Niger highlights the structural weaknesses of the country’s energy sector. As demand for fuel continues to rise, the need to reinforce production and storage capacities is becoming urgent. In the short term, swift action is needed to mitigate the economic and social impact of this crisis. In the long term, Niger will have to rethink its energy strategy to guarantee greater autonomy and security of supply.
