Niger has imposed a ban on petrol and diesel exports as the government moves to prioritise local demand amid concerns about disruptions in global petroleum markets.
The decision was announced by Trade and Industry Minister Abdoulaye Seydou in a statement posted on his Facebook page and published by the Nigerien News Agency on Saturday, October 17.
Under the ministerial order, petroleum products produced domestically must first be allocated to meet the country’s needs before any surplus can be considered for export.
However, the directive allows state owned petroleum company SONIDEP and refinery operator SORAZ to export excess supplies if they obtain special authorisation from the minister responsible for trade.
Article 1 of the order explicitly states: “The export of diesel and premium petrol from Niger is hereby prohibited.”
SONIDEP, formally known as the Société Nigérienne de Pétrole, is responsible for purchasing, storing, distributing and marketing petroleum products in the country.
SORAZ, or the Société de Raffinage de Zinder, operates Niger’s Zinder refinery, which has a processing capacity of approximately 20,000 barrels per day.
The restriction places domestic fuel availability ahead of exports, while allowing limited exceptions for surplus volumes subject to ministerial approval.