A pipeline that bypasses Benin? – The New Tribune

inside SahelGeopolitical shifting sands are drawing new contours for Niger’s black gold. Since the coup that overthrew the president in July 2023, Mohammed Bazoumthis Niger The sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are at the heart of diplomatic and economic disputes. (ECOWAS)Although the ban was lifted last February, it has left deep scars, especially in relations between Niamey and Cotonou. benign Setting up French military bases and conspiring to violate its sovereignty and close its borders, thus transforming an important economic axis into a geopolitical fault line.

It is against this turbulent background that Niger Consider an oil drama: Construction of a new oil pipeline to connect its Agadem oil fields with those in Chad, thus bypassing BeninThe project revives Niger’s old ambition to redraw the region’s energy map and offer Niamey an alternative to existing infrastructure currently paralyzed by diplomatic tensions.

Bold bets in an unstable environment

Oil pipeline engineering Niger – Chad It will stretch over 985 km, connecting Agadem and Doba, and then linking to existing infrastructure towards the southern port of Komé CameroonThis alternative route would allow Niger Freed from dependence on the port of Cotonou, the 2,000-kilometer oil pipeline terminates at the port of Cotonou, which was completed in March 2024 but is not operational due to the current diplomatic crisis.

However, this ambitious project faces enormous challenges. Security remains a major concern in a region where armed groups pose a persistent threat. Despite a heavy military presence, the Agadem oil fields continue to suffer damage. Extending this protection by nearly another 1,000 kilometers will present considerable logistical and financial challenges for the Nigerien authorities.

The crux of the matter: financing and feasibility

Financing the new pipeline is another major hurdle. The estimated cost is about 1350 billion CFA francs, That is half of the investment in the oil pipeline to Benin. Niger Investors must be convinced of the project’s viability in an unstable geopolitical context. this ChineseWill the companies that financed previous oil pipelines be tempted by this new venture, or will Niger have to turn to other partners, perhaps at the cost of new concessions?

There are also questions about the project’s technical and economic feasibility. Niger’s oil ministry is tight-lipped on details, while Chad has said “ rule arrangements” However, the lack of concrete information about the maturity of the project and its economic model raises questions about its realization in the short term.

The Niger-Chad oil pipeline project illustrates the complexity of West Africa’s energy issues, where geopolitical considerations are intertwined with economic ambitions. For Niger, it represents a quest for strategic independence, but also a risky bet in a region where stability remains fragile. Whether or not the pipeline is built, it demonstrates Niger’s desire to redefine its position on the regional stage, even if it means upsetting historical alliances. The future will tell us whether this ambition will become a new energy corridor or whether it will remain a mirage in the Sahel desert.