🔥 Trending Niger's Ambitious Refinery Project: A New Energy Hub?

Niger is moving forward with significant expansion in its oil refining capacity, with a major new project planned for Dosso and ongoing operations at its existing refinery.

Dosso Refinery Project

On August 15, 2026, Niger signed a $1.9 billion agreement with Canada's Zimar Group and its partner High Tech for the construction of a new 100,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery and petrochemical complex in Dosso ¹³⁴⁸. This project is expected to be one of West Africa's largest refineries, increasing Niger's total refining capacity fivefold ¹⁵.

Project Details

• Capacity: 100,000 bpd ¹³⁴.
• Cost: $1.9 billion ¹³⁵.
• Partnership: The agreement is a build-operate-transfer (BOT) structure, meaning Zimar Group and High Tech will design, finance, construct, and operate the facility for 13 years before transferring it to the Nigerien government ¹³⁸.
• Timeline: Construction is projected to take three years ³.
• Scope: In addition to refining units, the development includes pipelines and storage facilities ⁵.
• Strategic Importance: This project aims to supply refined petroleum products both domestically and to neighboring regional markets, positioning Niger as a regional energy hub ⁵⁸. The Minister of Petroleum, Hamadou Tini, confirmed on June 11, 2026, that the government prioritizes a classic refinery in Dosso, replacing an earlier modular proposal ⁶.

Existing Zinder Refinery

Niger currently operates a 20,000 bpd refinery in Zinder ⁵. This facility is a joint venture where China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) holds 60% ownership and Niger holds 40%. It was built in 2011 at a cost of $5 billion ².

Investments in the Zinder refinery have included extensive training programs for engineers, contributing to local expertise in the oil sector ¹⁰. The Niger-Benin Oil Pipeline and new facilities at oilfields are designed to enable the production of 110,000 bpd, with 90,000 bpd intended for export through the port in Benin ².

Regional Context

The Dosso project will significantly boost Niger's refining capabilities, making it a key player in the West African energy landscape. For comparison, other significant refinery projects in the region include:

• Nigeria: A global consortium secured $50 billion in November 2025 to build a 500,000 bpd refinery in Nigeria's Niger Delta, which would become Africa's second-largest ⁹. Additionally, Azibapu Eruani's Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa, Nigeria, is nearing completion with a redesigned capacity of 25,000 bpd and a cost close to $1 billion ⁷.