Niger junta swallows its pride, turns to Nigeria for fuel as crisis paralyzes nation

|Published 9:45 PM ET, Saturday March 15, 2025|

​Niger is currently experiencing a severe fuel shortage, leading to long queues at gas stations and significant disruptions in daily life. This crisis has compelled the Nigerien government to seek assistance from Nigeria, resulting in the approval of 300 fuel trucks being dispatched to alleviate the shortage.

The root of this crisis lies in a series of missteps by Niger’s ruling junta in their dealings with Chinese oil companies. In March 2024, the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) provided a $400 million advance to Niger, secured against future crude oil deliveries. Facing financial difficulties, the junta imposed an $80 billion tax demand on the Zinder Refinery Company (SORAZ), a joint venture with CNPC, despite existing debts. This led to the expulsion of Chinese oil executives and the freezing of SORAZ’s accounts, causing the refinery to cease operations and triggering the nationwide fuel shortage. ​

This situation underscores the critical importance of stable international partnerships and sound economic policies in maintaining essential services. For Niger, the crisis serves as a stark reminder of the need for prudent management of natural resources and the cultivation of robust diplomatic relations to ensure economic stability and the well-being of its citizens.

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