Niger's Sustainable Energy and Equity - Pathways to Empowerment and Inclusive Development

New Dynamics, New Opportunities

Jan Van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait, painted in 1434, captures the rise of a new wealthy class in Bruges, Belgium during the Northern Renaissance, much like Niger today which is poised to redefine its national wealth through its human resource, uranium and oil reserves. The meticulously rendered details of the fabrics and furnishings depict an era of economic growth driven by commerce. Under Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, a growing merchant class began to rival the aristocracy. Sumptuary laws tempered extravagance and enforced decorum. Van Eyck’s realism in light, texture, and symbolism reflects the economic and social shifts that laid the groundwork for free markets in the region.

Niger, a country rich in natural resources but long plagued by neo-colonialism, drastic regime changes, economic and environmental challenges, stands at the cusp of profound energy sufficiency with its new government. Economic growth has been unprecedented with 4.3% in 2023 and 11.2% projected in 2024. This is a recovery from the previous regime where 40% of Niger’s annual budget depended on aid. The growth is driven by new reforms and exports of oil and uranium, though the latter is vulnerable to market fluctuations.

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Historical Context and Legacy of Exploitation

The terrain of Niger is predominantly desert, with arable land primarily in the southwest and southeast. Over 80% of the country is covered by the Sahara Desert. With a population of over 27 million, Niger has an electrification rate of 20%, with 65% in urban areas and just 10% in rural areas. With untapped oil fields, solar and wind energy potential, and high-grade uranium, crucial for nuclear energy in France and Europe for over 50 years, Niger is positioned to reshape its energy landscape, balancing a robust regulatory framework with development goals and environmental and social sustainability.

Niger’s energy journey has been shaped by decades of uranium mining, dominated by French multinational corporations such as 阿海珐 (formerly Areva). Niger's uranium sector has been grossly mismanaged, with minimal contribution to state revenues. Uranium mining has left a legacy of environmental and human costs, including radioactive dust, carcinogenic radon gas exposure and contamination of materials. The CRIIRAD (Commission for Independent Research and Information on Radioactivity) has reported occupational diseases among miners, most of whom received little to no indemnification. Local communities face poor health monitoring. Orano's oversight has been marked by conflicts of interest and no commitment to greater responsibility.

With Niger's uranium reserves projected to last another 20 years, the country faces the challenge of maximising this resource while transitioning from dependence and addressing the resulting environmental damage. Furthermore, as uranium production declines, new opportunities for resource extraction and energy diversification must be carefully managed to prevent the repetition of past mistakes.

Emerging Oil and Gas Potential

Niger has produced oil since 2011 and, in May 2024, achieved a milestone with its first exports through the Niger-Benin pipeline, transporting 90,000 barrels per day from the China National Petroleum Corporation-operated Agadem oilfield to Cotonou, Benin. Oil exports could contribute up to 13% of GDP by 2025, with growth expected to rise by 27% and exports by 89% compared to 2023.

However, this feat has not been without challenges. A diplomatic dispute with Benin led to a suspension of the pipeline's use in June, reinstated in August 2024. During the dispute, Niger explored rerouting oil through Chad to Cameroon’s Atlantic coast. In addition, Nigerien insurgents attacked the pipeline in June, inflicting minor damage. These disruptions, along with internal insecurity and diplomatic tensions, continue to pose risks to the country's oil export ambitions.

While the Agadem and Kafra Basins have shown great promise, much of Niger’s geological potential remains underexplored. Over the past two decades, China has significantly expanded its investments in oil and uranium in Niger. Through its state-owned enterprises, like the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China has developed the Agadem oilfield and funded the Niger-Benin oil pipeline.

The Soraz (Société de raffinage de Zinder) refinery is jointly owned by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) (60%) and the Nigerien government (40%). It has struggled to operate at full capacity due to technical, logistical and financial issues, including disputes over pricing and revenue sharing between CNPC and the Nigerien government, maintenance shutdowns, and inadequate transport infrastructure. The refinery’s full potential hinges on addressing these operational inefficiencies and ensuring consistent production.

China has secured stakes in Niger, furthering its influence in the country’s energy sector. Enforcing regulations to safeguard national interests is essential, particularly given China’s track record of not adhering to environmental and reporting standards.

Renewable Energy?

Niger established the National Agency for the Promotion of Rural Electrification (ANPER) in 2013 to design and implement rural electrification initiatives, aiming for universal access by 2035. According to the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (2015), Niger targeted renewables—solar, wind and hydro from the Niger River—to comprise 51% of its installed capacity by 2020 and 58% by 2030. However, renewables accounted for only 8% by 2020, revealing a significant gap between ambition and reality. The government has renewed its focus on renewable energy, especially through the Niger Solar Electricity Access Project (NESAP), launched in 2017 with 世界银行 funding. This initiative involves building 15 solar power plants in rural areas; 12 are operational, expected to increase electrification rates in isolated centres from 20% to 75%.

Following the regime change, Nigeria, which previously provided 71% of Niger’s electricity,?halted power supply, resulting in severe energy shortages. The silver lining in the cloud is Niger's acceleration in developing energy sufficiency.

Niger is part of the 10 GW regional solar Desert to Power Initiative by the African Development Bank Group set to be completed by 2030. As part of the Alliance of Sahel States with Mali and Burkina Faso, regional development of energy is underway.

Niger is shifting towards a more sustainable and diversified energy portfolio. The 250 MW Parc Eolien de la Tarka wind project by Savannah Energy , set to become the country’s first wind farm, will generate 800 GWh annually, meeting 22% of Niger’s projected energy demand by 2026.

A 30 MW solar power plant is being developed in Gorou Banda by a French consortium comprising Akuo and Sagecom. In May 2023, the government signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Savannah Energy to develop two photovoltaic solar power plants with a combined capacity of 200 MW near Maradi and Zinder.

Social Equity and Sustainable Energy Access??

Energy access is not just a technical challenge but also a social and political one. Energy equity necessitates tackling broader governance issues, ensuring economic inclusion and social justice, and addressing the lack of transparency in which multinational corporations have often reaped the majority of profits from Niger’s resource extraction. The government must foster stronger regulatory frameworks that hold companies accountable for environmental damage and ensure local content where communities receive knowledge exchange and a fair share of the benefits from energy projects.

Niger’s rich cultural heritage is integral to its identity and should play a vital role in shaping the country’s energy future. The diverse communities—including the majority Hausa in the southeast, the Zarma Songhai in the southwest, the Tuareg in the north, and the Fulani, Kanuri, Manga, Tubu and Arab—contribute unique traditions and ways of life that enrich the nation's tapestry.

It is essential to ensure that local populations are included in decision-making processes, receive skills training, and are adequately compensated for the use of their land and resources. Incorporating indigenous knowledge into energy planning offers valuable insights for managing land and water sustainably, especially in the face of climate change.

The nomadic Tuareg, who have historically inhabited the Sahara, possess a profound understanding of desert ecology and resource management. Renowned Nigerien fashion designer Alphadi Privé, known as the ‘Magician of the Desert’, embodies Tuareg artistry. The Dongola horse, a desert-adapted breed thought to have developed from North African and Sudanese horse breeds, is found in Niger and other parts of West Africa. It showcases the region's equestrian heritage, alongside the tradition of camel racing.

Rich cultural traditions, such as the Tuareg Cross of Agadez, symbolise unity between men and women—a theme that resonates with the pursuit of equity in energy access. It is crucial to include women, who are often disproportionately affected by energy poverty, in energy planning and decision-making processes to build a more just and inclusive energy sector.

Local communities hold invaluable lessons on diplomacy and sustainable living, cultivated over centuries of adaptive practices. Historical figures like Sarraounia Mangou, a chief of the Azna subgroup of the Hausa, exemplify the spirit of resistance against colonialism, having fought at the Battle of Lougou in 1899. The region's history is interwoven with significant empires such as the Sokoto Caliphate / Fulani Empire (1804-1903), the Kanem-Bornu Empire (9th century to the late 19th century), and the Hausa Kingdoms (11th century to the 19th century).

Zinder serves as a cultural capital. Niger?hosts vibrant festivals in Tahoua and celebrates sorro wrestling. The artistic heritage of the region includes the craft of Songhai griots and the use of indigo dye in fabrics by the Tuareg, as well as goldwork by the Tuareg and Hausa. The Hausa, Zarma and Fulani are also skilled in leather tanning, employing natural methods that yield durable and high-quality items.

Toward a Sustainable and Equitable Energy Future?

Nigerien author Abdoulaye Mamani, a prominent poet, novelist and political activist, articulated themes of anti-colonialism, social justice and empowerment in his work. He emphasised the significance of equity, environmental preservation and the importance of reconnecting with pre-colonial traditions while reinventing identities for the future. As he poignantly stated, “Our roots are deep in this land... We are the people who must rise...” By honouring its cultural heritage, Niger can forge a sustainable and equitable energy future for all its citizens.