Niger has received 53 trucks carrying petroleum products from Algeria to address fuel shortage across the country.

Niger's Petroleum Minister Hamadou Tini received the first fleet of Algeria-flagged tankers in Niger's north-central region of Agadez on Sunday.

The minister was accompanied by Algeria's ambassador to Niger and the director-general of the Nigerien Petroleum Products Company (Sonidep).

According to a petroleum ministry statement, the consignment was arranged in response to a request from Sonidep.

Supply disruptions

The Nigerien government expressed its gratitude to Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for facilitating the transportation of the petroleum products to Niger.

The delivery comes amid ongoing concerns over petrol and diesel shortage.

Niger attributes the shortage to a wider global crisis involving conflicts, disruptions to supply and logistics chains, and fluctuations in petroleum prices.

Speaking during the reception, Petroleum Minister Hamadou Tini stressed that domestic crude oil production does not automatically translate into self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products, emphasising that reliable fuel availability depends on an integrated supply chain that encompasses refining, transportation, storage, and distribution.

Government activates crisis response

Nigerien authorities have established a committee to coordinate the government's response to the widespread fuel shortage.

Niger says it intends to develop a sustainable national capacity for anticipation, monitoring and coordination to ensure that the country's fuel needs can increasingly be met through its own resources and capabilities.

The arrival of the 53 fuel trucks from Algeria marks a new development in Niger's efforts to reinforce petroleum supplies through regional cooperation.

Niamey and Algiers have moved to strengthen their relationship in recent times, with Algeria offering military support to Niger to secure energy facilities in the Sahel nation.