Niger: Canadian Zimar will invest 1.9 billion dollars in a refining complex

The Nigerien government signed this agreement with Zimar Inc. on Saturday, August 15. The project involves the construction of new refining infrastructure and petrochemical units intended to process a portion of the oil produced in the country.

Niger has been producing oil since 2011 and exporting its crude since January 2024. Despite these activities, the country continues to face recurrent fuel shortages, particularly due to the limited capacities of its only refinery and the decline in informal supplies from Nigeria.

A refining capacity that is set to increase significantly

With an announced capacity of 100,000 barrels per day, the future refinery would far exceed the capacities currently available in Niger. The project aims to increase the supply of refined petroleum products on the domestic market and reduce dependence on fuel imports.

The construction of a petrochemical complex should also broaden the downstream activities related to oil. However, available information does not specify what products will be manufactured, the exact location of the facilities, or the expected date for their commissioning.

The amount of $1.9 billion corresponds to the announced investment for the entire project. The breakdown between the refinery, petrochemical units, and associated infrastructure has not been disclosed. The financing arrangements and the legal setup of the operation also need to be clarified.