The Republic of Niger has banned the export of premium petrol and diesel as a part of measures to prioritise domestic fuel supply amid rising issues over disruptions to world petroleum markets.
The directive was issued by Niger’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Abdoulaye Seydou, in a ministerial order, in accordance to a report printed on its official Facebook account on Saturday, October 17.
The choice locations Niger, which shares its southern border with Nigeria, amongst nations reminiscent of China, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan which have launched restrictions or bans on refined petroleum product exports amid supply disruptions linked to the continued battle involving Iran.
Niger restricts petrol and diesel exports
Under the brand new directive, Niger’s authorities has mandated that domestically produced petrol and diesel should be used primarily to meet native consumption wants earlier than any consideration is given to exports.
The authorities, nevertheless, offered an exception permitting exports of surplus petrol and diesel by SONIDEP and SORAZ, topic to particular authorisation from the Minister liable for Trade.
- “The export of diesel and premium petrol from Niger is hereby prohibited,” Article 1 of the ministerial order acknowledged.
- SONIDEP, the Société Nigérienne de Pétrole, is Niger’s state-owned petroleum firm liable for buying, storing, distributing and advertising petroleum merchandise.
- SORAZ, the Société de Raffinage de Zinder, operates the nation’s Zinder refinery, which has a processing capability of roughly 20,000 barrels per day.
The authorities additionally empowered officers of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, customs authorities, and defence and safety forces to determine violations and implement penalties underneath present legal guidelines.
The restriction comes amid disruptions to fuel provides affecting filling stations in Niamey, the nation’s capital.
Global fuel shortages set off export restrictions
As the battle within the Middle East continues to disrupt world power markets, a number of governments have launched restrictions on refined petroleum product exports to defend domestic provides and include rising fuel prices.
On Friday, October 16, Brent crude oil briefly touched $110 per barrel for the primary time since May, pushed by renewed issues over supply disruptions within the Middle East and assaults on Russian power infrastructure.
- Countries together with China, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Russia have imposed various restrictions on exports of refined petroleum merchandise throughout 2026.
- However, Russia partially lifted its diesel export restrictions in October following an settlement with US President Donald Trump to supply extra diesel to American and world markets.
Under the settlement, Russia dedicated to supplying more than 4.8 million tonnes of diesel in phases, starting with 300,000 tonnes, adopted by extra shipments in subsequent months.
Nigeria faces petroleum import licensing dispute
Unlike Niger, Nigeria has more and more relied on domestic refining capability to scale back its dependence on imported petroleum merchandise, notably for the reason that graduation of operations on the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
However, petroleum product imports have continued, with latest courtroom choices highlighting an ongoing dispute over import licensing and the safety of domestic refining investments.
- On September 28, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue granting petroleum product import licences to three main oil entrepreneurs: Matrix Energy, AA Rano and AYM Shafa.
- However, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE subsequently approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, looking for permission to problem the judgment.
- In a movement filed on October 6, the refinery sought to contest the directive requiring the NMDPRA to proceed issuing import licences to the three entrepreneurs.
