Challenges and Diplomatic Disputes Surrounding Niger’s Agadem Oil Pipeline Project

The 1,930-kilometer pipeline from Niger’s Agadem oil field to Benin’s port faces threats from internal security crises and a diplomatic dispute with Benin.

Designed to increase oil production nearly fivefold, the pipeline has stalled due to diplomatic disagreements with Benin and an attack by the local Patriotic Liberation Front rebel group.

To address the issue, the Niger junta is pondering rerouting the oil through Chad and Cameroon or Nigeria. However, the Chad route poses challenges, and there’s uncertainty about Chinese reinvestment in this alternative.

The halted pipeline operations could impact Niger’s economic growth, projected to rebound at 6.9% this year, with oil exports being a vital driver.

Diplomatic tensions with Benin stem from last year’s coup, resulting in neighboring West African countries closing borders with Niger and the emergence of a local liberation group threatening further attacks on the oil project. Both nations are suffering economically, with Benin losing millions in transit fees.