Niamey – An Africa
Niger has officially commissioned a new 40-megawatt power plant in the capital, Niamey, under a project funded and delivered by Algeria, marking a significant step toward strengthening the country’s energy capacity and improving the stability of its national power grid.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the Gouro Banda district of Niamey and attended by Algerian Prime Minister Seifi Ghrieb, Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, and several senior officials from both countries, highlighting the growing momentum of Algerian-Nigerien cooperation in the energy sector.
The project is part of a broader partnership between Algeria and Niger led by Algerian energy companies Sonatrach and Sonelgaz in cooperation with Niger’s national electricity company, Nigelec. The initiative aims to reinforce the country’s electricity infrastructure and address rising demand for power.
The facility consists of two gas turbines with a capacity of 20 megawatts each, adding a total of 40 MW to Niger’s electricity generation capacity and helping improve power supply services in Niamey and surrounding areas.
Plant Expected to Deliver One-Fifth of Niger’s Electricity Output
Yazid Djellouli, Chief Executive Officer of Sonelgaz International, said the new plant is expected to contribute around 20 percent of Niger’s total electricity production, making it a major addition to the country’s energy system.
Djellouli noted that the project was completed in record time after its launch at the end of March, in line with directives from the Algerian authorities and within the framework of bilateral cooperation between Algeria and Niger.
He added that the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art turbines and advanced technologies designed to enhance electricity generation and improve the reliability of power supply.
According to Djellouli, the plant will help strengthen electricity provision in Niamey and nearby areas while supporting economic activity in key sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services, ultimately contributing to improved living standards.
Cooperation Extends Beyond Power Generation
The project goes beyond the construction of a power plant. It also included the training of Nigerien engineers and technicians in Algeria, enabling them to operate, manage, and maintain the facility in accordance with modern technical standards.
Djellouli further revealed that the project required the establishment of an air bridge to transport equipment, machinery, and technical resources to the site, praising the efforts of Sonelgaz’s engineering and technical teams for completing the project within a remarkably short timeframe.
For his part, Algerian Prime Minister Seifi Ghrieb described the project as a new chapter in Algeria-Niger relations, built on rapid implementation and the effective delivery of joint development initiatives. He noted that the project’s completion schedule was brought forward from December 2026 to June 2026, reflecting the high level of coordination and commitment demonstrated by Algerian and Nigerien teams.
Cooperation between the two countries also includes the development of electricity transmission and distribution networks, alongside expanded partnerships in energy, hydrocarbons, training, and knowledge transfer as part of a shared vision aimed at promoting sustainable development and economic integration across the Sahel region.
The Niamey power plant is widely regarded as one of the most significant energy cooperation projects undertaken by Algeria and Niger in recent years, serving as a model of African partnership based on expertise sharing and strategic infrastructure development to support the continent’s growing development needs.
