The Nigerien government has announced a series of measures to tighten its oil cooperation with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), citing CNPC’s failure to implement local content reforms and demanding a greater national presence in the sector.
Following a Council of Ministers meeting on March 18th, authorities criticized CNPC for “subterfuge,” a “misleading assessment of contractual documents,” and a “lack of genuine will” to comply with national legislation.
The government, under the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP), intends to enforce several measures, including equalizing pay between expatriate and Nigerien employees, prioritizing Nigerien workers in oil operations, ensuring local companies are awarded subcontracts, modifying certain agreements to better serve Nigerien interests, aligning the Niger-Benin pipeline transport agreement with crude oil transport contracts, demanding transparency regarding financial commitments for the Niger-Benin pipeline, amending the articles of association of West African Petroleum Operations (WAPO) to allow Nigerien participation in its capital, and appointing Nigerien representatives to strategic positions within CNPC, with equal rights and benefits.
These decisions are rooted in Ordinance No. 2024-34 of August 2, 2024, which mandates “priority employment of Nigerien labor, the use of local goods and services, and technology transfer” to maximize national economic benefits.
The announcement comes shortly after the Nigerien authorities revoked the operating license of the Soluxe International Hotel in Niamey, a Chinese-built property, due to serious violations.
This reassessment of the oil partnership reflects a broader shift in Niger’s relations with China, which remains a key investor following the nation’s break with Western partners after the July 2023 coup.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA