Niger’s military leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, announced on state television that the country expects to export its first barrels of crude oil through the new Niger-Benin pipeline in January 2024.

The construction of this pipeline, backed by Chinese energy giant PetroChina, was officially completed in November 2023, Reuters reported. It connects Niger’s Agadem oilfield to the Benin port of Cotonou, facilitating the export of Niger’s oil reserves.

According to Tiani, the pipeline’s storage tanks in Cotonou are currently being filled and are expected to be ready by January, marking the start of the commercialization phase. Niger is entitled to a 25.4% share of the 90,000 barrels of oil per day (bdp) that will be exported through the pipeline.

While Niger currently operates a small oil refinery with a capacity of around 20,000 bpd, primarily supplying its domestic fuel market, Tiani emphasized the government’s desire to increase local oil refining capacity.

“Our goal is not simply to sell crude oil. We want to move towards a refinery that will process Nigerien crude within our own borders,” said Tiani, highlighting the need for Niger to derive greater benefit from its natural resources.

The launch of the Niger-Benin pipeline signifies a significant development for Niger’s oil industry, promising to increase export capacity and generate substantial revenue for the country. Tiani’s vision of enhancing local oil refining capabilities further underscores Niger’s desire to maximize the economic benefits of its natural resources.