Niger faces major fuel shortages right as rich countries change how they give aid to Africa. These problems tell African nations they must work together more, especially countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. These three nations decided to leave the Economic Community of West African States for good. They told ECOWAS about this in January 2024, but the group gave them until September 2025 to change their minds.
Last December, Niger's leader Abdourahamane Tchiani went on TV and blamed Nigeria without any proof. He said Nigeria tried to cause trouble in Niger. The foreign minister Bakary Yaou Sangare also claimed Nigeria helped sabotage an oil pipeline. Niger called in a Nigerian official to hear these complaints. Nigeria rejected all these claims as false, and ECOWAS backed Nigeria publicly.
Tchiani just copied what other military leaders do - use lies to make people forget about real problems at home. Nigeria has no reason to hurt Niger. It actually helps Niger with roads, trains, and cheap fuel. Three months later, reality hit Tchiani hard. Niger ran out of fuel almost everywhere. People waited in long lines at the few gas stations that had anything left. The economy suffered badly in this poor, landlocked country.
The once proud military leaders had to ask Nigeria for help secretly. Things became desperate enough that Niger sent the head of their oil company SONIDEP to visit Abuja, begging for assistance. After meeting with Nigerian oil officials, about 300 fuel trucks crossed the border into Niger right away. Nobody shared what deal they made to make this happen.
Oil experts in Niger blame the fuel crisis on fights between the military government and Chinese companies that run most of Niger's oil business. The Chinese oil company CNPC gave Niger about $400 million last year using future oil sales as a guarantee. This money helped Niger handle sanctions that ECOWAS placed after the military took power in July 2023.
When payment time came, Niger tried to pressure China instead. They demanded billions in taxes from the Chinese refinery. The situation became worse when Niger kicked out three Chinese oil workers last week. Officials called this move an attempt to control national resources better. Niger also canceled the license for a Chinese hotel, claiming unfair treatment of customers.
Both countries want to avoid completely breaking ties, especially since oil matters greatly to Niger. The military rulers tried hiding how bad things really were. They banned news about fuel shortages and economic hardship. People grew worried as prices increased and jobs disappeared. Desperate drivers paid extra for black market fuel when they could find any at all.
Despite the three countries acting tough about leaving ECOWAS, the organization keeps talking with them. Ghana's President John Mahama visited all three military governments recently. A group from these countries also came to Nigeria to learn different ways to fight terrorism beyond just using armies.
These nations accused ECOWAS of being controlled by outsiders and kicked French soldiers out of their countries, claiming this showed independence. However, all three still belong to another group with French connections called UEMOA. The French Treasury controls their money, sets exchange rates, and holds their bank reserves.
The military leaders made friends with Russia and China instead, including military deals with Russia. But the fuel crisis shows regional cooperation makes more sense than going alone. At a German conference in February, President Mahama described reduced American and British aid as a chance for Africa to become stronger without foreign help.
Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who runs the World Trade Organization, recently told African leaders to stop counting on foreign aid. She urged them to create their own solutions since help from others keeps shrinking. These lessons apply to all African nations, especially those leaving ECOWAS.
The three countries have every right to pursue their interests both as Sahel States and as ECOWAS members. Other groups already exist inside ECOWAS, like the Mano River Union and several others. They can pursue joint goals without completely breaking regional ties.
Last December, Niger's leader Abdourahamane Tchiani went on TV and blamed Nigeria without any proof. He said Nigeria tried to cause trouble in Niger. The foreign minister Bakary Yaou Sangare also claimed Nigeria helped sabotage an oil pipeline. Niger called in a Nigerian official to hear these complaints. Nigeria rejected all these claims as false, and ECOWAS backed Nigeria publicly.
Tchiani just copied what other military leaders do - use lies to make people forget about real problems at home. Nigeria has no reason to hurt Niger. It actually helps Niger with roads, trains, and cheap fuel. Three months later, reality hit Tchiani hard. Niger ran out of fuel almost everywhere. People waited in long lines at the few gas stations that had anything left. The economy suffered badly in this poor, landlocked country.
The once proud military leaders had to ask Nigeria for help secretly. Things became desperate enough that Niger sent the head of their oil company SONIDEP to visit Abuja, begging for assistance. After meeting with Nigerian oil officials, about 300 fuel trucks crossed the border into Niger right away. Nobody shared what deal they made to make this happen.
Oil experts in Niger blame the fuel crisis on fights between the military government and Chinese companies that run most of Niger's oil business. The Chinese oil company CNPC gave Niger about $400 million last year using future oil sales as a guarantee. This money helped Niger handle sanctions that ECOWAS placed after the military took power in July 2023.
When payment time came, Niger tried to pressure China instead. They demanded billions in taxes from the Chinese refinery. The situation became worse when Niger kicked out three Chinese oil workers last week. Officials called this move an attempt to control national resources better. Niger also canceled the license for a Chinese hotel, claiming unfair treatment of customers.
Both countries want to avoid completely breaking ties, especially since oil matters greatly to Niger. The military rulers tried hiding how bad things really were. They banned news about fuel shortages and economic hardship. People grew worried as prices increased and jobs disappeared. Desperate drivers paid extra for black market fuel when they could find any at all.
Despite the three countries acting tough about leaving ECOWAS, the organization keeps talking with them. Ghana's President John Mahama visited all three military governments recently. A group from these countries also came to Nigeria to learn different ways to fight terrorism beyond just using armies.
These nations accused ECOWAS of being controlled by outsiders and kicked French soldiers out of their countries, claiming this showed independence. However, all three still belong to another group with French connections called UEMOA. The French Treasury controls their money, sets exchange rates, and holds their bank reserves.
The military leaders made friends with Russia and China instead, including military deals with Russia. But the fuel crisis shows regional cooperation makes more sense than going alone. At a German conference in February, President Mahama described reduced American and British aid as a chance for Africa to become stronger without foreign help.
Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who runs the World Trade Organization, recently told African leaders to stop counting on foreign aid. She urged them to create their own solutions since help from others keeps shrinking. These lessons apply to all African nations, especially those leaving ECOWAS.
The three countries have every right to pursue their interests both as Sahel States and as ECOWAS members. Other groups already exist inside ECOWAS, like the Mano River Union and several others. They can pursue joint goals without completely breaking regional ties.
