Sonatrach Launches First Jet A1 Fuel Supply to Niger

Algeria’s state-owned energy company, Sonatrach, has initiated its first-ever supply of Jet A1 aviation fuel to Niger, marking a significant expansion of its commercial operations in the Sahel region. The inaugural contractual deliveries commenced on August 15 from Sonatrach's Adrar refinery (RA1D) to the Nigerien market. This supply is facilitated through a sale-and-purchase agreement established with Niger’s state-owned oil company, SONIDEP, signaling the effective start of direct commercial cooperation between the two entities.

Sonatrach views these deliveries as a component of Algeria's wider strategy to enhance commercial relations with Niger and African oil and gas companies, particularly across the Sahel. This initiative provides Niger with an additional source of aviation fuel and underscores Algeria's growing downstream presence throughout the region. The company has indicated that this agreement could pave the way for regular supplies of Algerian petroleum products to other landlocked countries in the Sahel, further solidifying Algeria's role as a regional energy supplier.

This direct fuel supply follows broader collaborative efforts between Sonatrach and SONIDEP, including the joint marketing of Nigerien Meleck crude from Benin's Sèmè terminal on August 14. Such developments demonstrate a deepening relationship focused on both crude marketing and refined-product distribution. Furthermore, Algeria has actively explored extensive petroleum-product cooperation with Burkina Faso, and its distributor Naftal has engaged in discussions to supply Niger with various fuels, including unleaded gasoline, Jet A1, and LPG, positioning Algeria as a key competitor in the West African fuel market.