Niamey was the scene of an important ceremony with the official inauguration of the “His Majesty King Mohammed VI” power plant, a gift from the Kingdom of Morocco to Niger. This act illustrates once again the Moroccan sovereign’s commitment to South-South cooperation based on solidarity, sharing and concrete results.
At the event, the Moroccan Ambassador to Niger, Allal El Achab, underlined the importance of this gesture, recalling the Kingdom’s determination, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, to implement projects with a tangible impact for the benefit of African populations. “The realisation of this project with our brotherly country of Niger, in a remarkably short period of time, is part of the continuity of a rich and fraternal bilateral relationship. It is based on solidarity initiatives and partnership programs aimed at achieving results that benefit the population,” the diplomat said.
The inauguration of this power plant marks a new stage in the historic relations between Morocco and Niger. It follows several symbolic gestures by Morocco towards Niger, such as the inauguration of the “Boulevard Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI” in Niamey in 2004 and the avenue of the same name in Maradi in 2005. Mr. El Achab recalled that this new infrastructure embodies both the values of solidarity and the deep respect that unite the two nations. “This power plant bears witness to Morocco’s constant commitment to supporting Niger in its efforts to achieve sustainable development and economic growth,” he added.
Responding to an acute energy crisis
Faced with a serious energy crisis, Niger is benefiting from a modern and efficient infrastructure. With a production capacity of 22.5 MVA, the power plant will significantly increase the resources of the Niger Electricity Company (NIGELEC). According to the Governor of the Niamey region, Brigadier General Assoumane Abdou Harouna, this latest-generation equipment will meet the growing needs of the population while contributing to the country’s energy autonomy.
Niger’s Minister of Energy, Amadou Haoua, expressed the deep gratitude of the people of Niger to the sovereign of Morocco for this act of generosity and continued support. He underlined the direct impact of this power plant on the improvement of the living conditions of the population and the local economic development. “This project is a perfect example of the excellent cooperation between Morocco and Niger,” she said.
Designed and built in record time, this infrastructure is the result of collaboration between the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) and NIGELEC. This ambitious partnership aims to promote joint development, create employment opportunities and strengthen economic ties in the Sahel region.
This initiative is part of Morocco’s global strategy to support African countries in strategic sectors such as energy, agriculture and infrastructure. It also reflects a shared vision for a prosperous and stable future in a region often marked by multiple challenges.
MK/te/lb/as/APA