Algeria and Niger have held high-level talks to revive bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, which points to a marked de-escalation of tensions that have existed between Algeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. Algeria had been accused by the AES states of supporting terrorist groups, which led to a suspension of any cooperation in April 2025.
Algerian Minister of State for Hydrocarbons and Mines Mohamed Arkab led a large delegation to Niamey on Jan. 26, where he held talks with Niger’s Minister of Petroleum Hamad Tinni, to revive cooperation in the energy sector, including the proposed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project and the Kafra oil block in northern Niger, operated by Algeria’s state-owned oil company, Sonatrach. The project has estimated reserves of over 260 million barrels of oil. Also discussed were training, technical assistance, skills transfer, and strengthening cooperation between state-owned enterprises in both countries.
The TSGP, a 4,128-km pipeline, is designed to transport up to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Nigeria, through Niger, to Algeria’s Mediterranean coast, for export to Europe. Both countries see it as a cornerstone for regional energy security and a boost to West and North Africa’s gas exports.
