Mali Signs Fuel Deal With Niger, Cutting Reliance On Algerian Imports

Niger and Mali have signed a series of agreements to secure a stable and regular fuel supply for northern Mali, reducing the country’s reliance on Algerian imports.

The memoranda of understanding were signed on Friday in Niamey by delegations from both countries, including officials from Niger’s Ministry of Petroleum and SONIDEP, and Mali’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The agreements are part of a strategic initiative to address fuel shortages in Mali’s northern regions, which have been exacerbated by the closure of the Algerian border and the cessation of fuel transport due to security concerns involving Tuareg separatist groups.

According to Niger’s Minister of Commerce, Abdoulaye Seydou, Niger considers northern Mali as a “ninth region” and is dedicated to assisting it. He added that discussions are ongoing to strengthen the partnership and ensure fuel supplies, with solutions already found for gasoline and efforts continuing for diesel.

This development follows a previous agreement in April 2024, where Niger committed to supplying Mali with 150 million litres of diesel annually, an increase from the last 22 million litres. The diesel will be sold at nearly half the normal market rate to support Mali’s national energy company, Énergie du Mali (EDM-SA), which has struggled with consistent electricity provision.

The fuel agreements also come from strained relations between Mali and Algeria. Mali has accused Algeria of supporting Tuareg rebel groups after Algerian forces shot down a Malian drone engaged in counterterrorism operations. This led to the closure of borders and airspace between the two countries.

With these new agreements, Mali aims to mitigate the impact of regional tensions on its energy security and strengthen ties with neighboring Niger.

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