Algeria and Benin Move to Strengthen Energy Cooperation and Expand Partnership in West Africa
Algerian Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal held talks on Wednesday with Benin’s Minister of Energy, Water and Mines, Edouard Dahome, to explore ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
According to a statement from the Algerian ministry, the discussions were held via videoconference and focused particularly on electricity, energy equipment manufacturing, technical expertise and professional training.
The talks were held as part of efforts to implement the directives of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune aimed at strengthening Algeria’s presence across Africa and promoting South-South cooperation, particularly with West African countries.
During the meeting, the two ministers reaffirmed their shared determination to deepen the energy partnership between Algeria and Benin. They reviewed existing cooperation between Algeria’s Sonelgaz Group and the Communauté Électrique du Bénin (CEB), recalling the memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in 2024.
The agreement provides for cooperation across different segments of the electricity industry value chain, particularly in training, skills development and the transfer of Algerian expertise.
Adjal reaffirmed Algeria’s readiness to support Benin in implementing its energy projects by sharing technical expertise, providing specialized assistance, training professionals and contributing to the development of energy infrastructure.
The Algerian minister also highlighted Sonelgaz’s significant industrial capabilities in manufacturing electrical equipment.
He expressed Algeria’s willingness to develop cooperation in supplying the Beninese market with Algerian-made electrical equipment while exploring opportunities to market these products more broadly across West Africa.
Such cooperation could provide new opportunities for Algerian industrial expertise and products while helping Benin strengthen and modernize its electricity infrastructure.
At the conclusion of the talks, the two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining coordination and accelerating the implementation of existing agreements.
They also agreed on the importance of identifying concrete, mutually beneficial projects capable of strengthening the long-term energy partnership between Algeria and Benin and supporting broader African economic and energy cooperation.
