Algiers, January 15, 2025 – Algeria’s national oil company, Sonatrach, has reached an agreement with Niger’s Sonidep to provide technical expertise and support for the launch of a refinery and petrochemical complex in the city of Dosso, located in southwestern Niger. This collaboration marks a significant step in bolstering Niger’s oil and petrochemical industries, according to a statement released by Sonatrach on Wednesday.
The statement highlighted that the agreement followed a week of intensive work and in-depth discussions between Sonatrach and Nigerien officials. The visit by Sonatrach’s delegation to Niamey culminated in the signing of a memorandum of meeting with Sonidep and representatives from Niger’s Ministry of Petroleum. The agreement includes the establishment of two specialized subcommittees tasked with overseeing the launch of the refinery and petrochemical complex.
Subcommittees for Refining and Legal Frameworks
The subcommittees will focus on refining and petrochemical operations, as well as project management, contract negotiation, and legal frameworks. This technical assistance from Sonatrach is expected to be a major boost to Niger’s efforts to develop its energy sector.
The discussions and agreement were finalized during a meeting on Monday in the presence of Nigerien Minister of Petroleum, Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, and Algeria’s ambassador to Niger, Ahmed Saadi.
Sonatrach’s representative, Ramdane Ayache, emphasized the importance of assembling a dedicated project team. He noted that this team would receive theoretical training at the Algerian Petroleum Institute, a subsidiary of Sonatrach, and gain hands-on experience through exposure to real-world project management scenarios.
Ayache also underscored the necessity of establishing a clear legal framework to facilitate contract preparation and execution.
Accelerating Niger’s Energy Development
Colonel Ali Saïbou Hassan, Director General of Sonidep, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration, describing it as a milestone for his company. He highlighted the significant gap between Sonidep’s status as a young enterprise and Sonatrach’s decades-long expertise, which he said would help fast-track the realization of the project’s objectives.
Hassan noted that Sonatrach’s experience will not only accelerate the development of local capacities but also help avoid potential challenges during the early phases of the project.
Strengthening Algeria-Niger Cooperation
Niger’s Minister of Petroleum, Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, extended his gratitude to Algeria and Sonatrach’s experts for their thorough and productive discussions. He praised the close cooperation between the two nations and expressed optimism about the role Sonatrach’s technical support will play in overcoming challenges during the project’s initial stages.
The minister specifically highlighted the training program that Sonatrach will provide for a dedicated project team at the Algerian Petroleum Institute. This program will include contract management and negotiations, key components for ensuring the project’s success.
The partnership between Sonatrach and Sonidep reflects Algeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and its leadership in fostering development across Africa. By sharing its expertise, Algeria aims to enhance Niger’s energy sector while strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
For more insights on Algeria’s regional partnerships and energy initiatives, visit DZWATCH.DZ.
Author: Nor-Eleslam
Sonatrach, Sonidep, Niger refinery project, Algeria-Niger cooperation
