According to the sanctions agreed by Niger’s neighbors in West Africa after a coup, Nigeria has cut off its electricity supply to Niger, AFP learned on Wednesday from a source close to the management of the Nigerien Electricity Company (Nigelec).
“Nigeria disconnected since yesterday (Tuesday) the high voltage line that carries electricity to Niger,” the source said. A Nigelec agent for his part indicated that the capital, Niamey, was “supplied thanks to local production”.
Sanctions against the coup plotters who overthrew President-elect Mohamed Bazoum a week ago were decided upon by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which is headed by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday.
The freezing of “all service transactions, including energy transactions” was a directive issued by ECOWAS in addition to a one-week deadline for the restoration of constitutional order and the suspension of financial activities with Niger.
In 2022, 70% of Niger’s share of power came from purchases from the Nigerian company Mainstream, according to a report by Nigelec, the nation’s sole supplier. Western Nigeria’s Kainji Dam generates electricity.
Power outages frequently occur in a number of Niamey neighbourhoods, and Nigeria’s decision would make things worse.
Niger is seeking to finish its first dam on the same-named river by 2025 in order to break its considerable reliance on its neighbor, Nigeria, for energy. The Kandadji dam, located 180 km upstream of Niamey, is expected to produce 629 gigawatt hours (GWh) annually.
Niger, one of the world’s poorest nations, depends on its international partners in many different ways. On Sunday, as international sanctions increased, Nigerian Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou warned on France 24, “The sanctions will hurt our country very badly.”
