Niger has banned exports of petrol and diesel to prioritise domestic supply amid concerns over disruptions to global petroleum markets, according to a ministerial order.
Trade and Industry Minister Abdoulaye Seydou announced the decision in a statement shared on his Facebook page and published by the Nigerien News Agency on Saturday, October 17.
The directive requires domestically produced petrol and diesel to meet local demand before exports can be considered.
However, state-owned petroleum company SONIDEP and refinery operator SORAZ may export surplus supplies with special authorisation from the minister responsible for trade.
“The export of diesel and premium petrol from Niger is hereby prohibited,” Article 1 of the order stated.
SONIDEP, the Société Nigérienne de Pétrole, purchases, stores, distributes and markets petroleum products.
SORAZ, the Société de Raffinage de Zinder, operates the country’s Zinder refinery, which has a processing capacity of about 20,000 barrels per day.
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