Niger: Fuel Crisis Deepens In Air, Azawak As Citizens Beg Nigeria, Other Countries For Help

By Zagazola Makama

The fuel shortage gripping the regions of Air and Azawak has entered its third day, with no signs of relief despite official reassurances from petroleum authorities.

In Agadez and Tahoua, where long queues have become a daily struggle, frustration is mounting as the scarcity continues to disrupt transport and daily economic activities.

The situation remains particularly striking in Agadez, which lies less than 440 kilometers from the Soraz refinery—closer than Niamey (850 km) and even Bamako or Ouagadougou. Yet, fuel remains elusive in the region, raising questions about the efficiency of distribution networks managed by Soraz, Sonidep, and CNPC.

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Authorities had previously dismissed concerns of supply manipulation, insisting that no external pressures were interfering with fuel distribution. However, the persistent scarcity suggests otherwise, leaving many to speculate whether logistical inefficiencies or political maneuvering are at play.

Some frustrated residents have sarcastically suggested relocating the Soraz refinery to the volatile “Three Borders” region (Liptako) as the only way to guarantee fuel supply to Agadez and Tahoua. References to Labousani, Kala Labizé, and Halaledy—known hubs of fuel smuggling and black-market trade—reflect growing disillusionment with the current situation.

For now, the fuel crisis remains a daily burden for those in Niger’s northern and central regions, with no clear resolution in sight.