Niger has prohibited exports of premium petrol and diesel to protect domestic availability, introducing restrictions that allow locally refined fuel to be prioritised for consumers as disruptions to international energy markets intensify.
The order, issued by Trade and Industry Minister Abdoulaye Seydou, requires domestic demand to be met before any surplus petrol or diesel can be considered for export. The directive was reported on the Nigerien government’s official Facebook account on Saturday, October 17.
The restriction comes amid fuel supply disruptions affecting filling stations in Niamey, the country’s capital, and growing concerns over the availability and cost of petroleum products following renewed tensions in the Middle East.
Under Article One of the ministerial order, the export of diesel and premium petrol from Niger is prohibited. However, the government has provided an exception for surplus products handled by the state-owned petroleum company, SONIDEP, and the operator of the Zinder refinery, SORAZ.
Such exports may proceed only with special authorisation from the minister responsible for trade, giving the government control over when excess domestic production can be sold abroad.
Authorities have also empowered officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, customs services, and defence and security forces to identify violations and enforce penalties under existing laws.
SONIDEP, or Société Nigérienne de Pétrole, is Niger’s state-owned petroleum company, responsible for purchasing, storing, distributing, and marketing petroleum products. SORAZ, or Société de Raffinage de Zinder, operates the country’s Zinder refinery, which has a processing capacity of approximately 20,000 barrels per day.
The restriction places Niger among countries that have moved to protect domestic fuel availability as global supply conditions become increasingly uncertain. China, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan have also introduced restrictions on refined petroleum exports during 2026.
The measures come against a backdrop of renewed concerns over international oil supplies linked to the conflict involving Iran and attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Brent crude briefly reached $110 per barrel on Friday, October 16, its highest level since May, amid fears of further supply disruptions.
Higher crude prices can increase the cost of refined products, while disruptions to shipping and refining can tighten availability in importing and consuming countries. Governments have consequently faced pressure to secure domestic supplies before allowing products to flow into international markets.
Russia, however, partially relaxed its diesel export restrictions in October following an agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump to supply additional volumes to international markets.
Under the arrangement, Russia committed to supplying more than 4.8 million tonnes of diesel in phases, beginning with 300,000 tonnes before additional shipments in subsequent months.
Niger’s decision also highlights the different approaches African countries are taking to safeguard fuel supplies. While Niger is restricting exports of domestically produced petrol and diesel, Nigeria is expanding local refining capacity but continues to face disputes over the regulation of imported petroleum products.
On September 28, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to continue granting petroleum product import licences to Matrix Energy, AA Rano and AYM Shafa.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE subsequently approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to seek permission to challenge the judgment. In a motion filed on October 6, the refinery contested the directive requiring the regulator to continue issuing import licences to the three marketers.
The dispute comes as Nigeria’s domestic refining industry develops following the commencement of operations at the Dangote refinery, while petroleum imports remain part of the country’s downstream supply arrangements.
For Niger, the immediate objective is to ensure that locally produced fuel is available to meet domestic needs before surplus volumes are exported. The effectiveness of the policy will depend on local production, distribution, and the government’s ability to enforce the restrictions amid continuing pressure on global energy markets.