Algeria and Niger boost energy cooperation with new drilling project

Algeria and Niger cement renewed energy collaboration

Kafra Sud-Est 1

Acting on directives from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb journeyed to Niger on Thursday. His mission was to oversee, alongside his Nigerien counterpart Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, the official commencement of drilling operations for the Kafra Sud-Est 1 exploration well. This pivotal undertaking signifies a fresh chapter in strengthening the strategic alliance between Algiers and Niamey, simultaneously expanding Sonatrach’s footprint within Niger.

Upon his arrival at the Kafra oil field, situated in northern Niger approximately 85 kilometers from the Algerian border, the Prime Minister received a warm welcome from his Nigerien counterpart, accompanied by cabinet members and senior national officials. This significant visit unfolds amidst a shared commitment from both nations’ leaders to invigorate Algeria-Niger relations, elevating them beyond political alignment towards tangible economic and energy collaboration.

The initiation of drilling at Kafra Sud-Est 1 directly supports this dynamic. It represents one of the initial on-the-ground manifestations of a collective resolve to bolster joint ventures in critical sectors, particularly energy and hydrocarbons.

Sifi Ghrieb emphasized that this operation constitutes “a new cornerstone” in the strategic partnership uniting Algeria and Niger, noting that the project follows just weeks after the inauguration of the Niamey power plant.

“We gather today, two months and ten days after the Niamey power plant’s inauguration, to collectively lay another foundation stone for our strategic partnership,” the Prime Minister declared during the official ceremony.

This renewed momentum originates from the expressed desire of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his Nigerien counterpart, General of the Army Abdourahamane Tiani, to solidify ties between their countries and transform political aspirations into concrete programs and initiatives. It also aligns with the implementation of conclusions from the second session of the Algerian-Nigerien Grand Joint Cooperation Commission, held in Niamey on March 23 and 24, 2026.

A high-stakes exploration operation

The drilling of the Kafra Sud-Est 1 well forms part of comprehensive exploration efforts aimed at more accurately assessing the Kafra field’s oil potential, prior to considering any subsequent development and production phases. For Sonatrach, the stakes are therefore multi-faceted, encompassing energy, industrial, and strategic dimensions. The Algerian group intends to leverage its expertise for this operation while firmly establishing its long-term presence in Niger. The project engages several of the group’s subsidiaries: Enafor (Entreprise nationale de forage) is tasked with coordinating the human, technical, and logistical resources essential for the well’s completion. ENSP (Entreprise nationale de services aux puits) contributes its specialized services, while ENG (Entreprise nationale de géophysique) provides its geophysical expertise. This integrated mobilization serves as a clear demonstration of Algerian know-how in the hydrocarbon sector, allowing Sonatrach to unite multiple competencies around a single international project.

Brahim Hammoudi, CEO of Enafor, clearly articulated this ambition, underscoring the company’s determination to “solidify its presence in Niger within a vision of enduring cooperation.” Beyond the technical execution of the drilling, Kafra Sud-Est 1 is thus poised to showcase Algerian drilling prowess, simultaneously enabling Enafor to enhance its experience in international markets.

Niger, a partner destined for growing importance

Cooperation between the two nations is not expected to be confined solely to exploration activities. A memorandum of understanding, signed on June 2 between Enafor and Sonidep (Société nationale nigérienne du pétrole), outlines a study for establishing a joint venture specializing in drilling. This initiative could pave the way for deeper industrial collaboration, particularly focused on skill transfer, human resource training, and strengthening local capabilities. For Algeria, this signifies both expanding its companies’ operations in Niger and contributing to the development of the Nigerien oil industry. For Niamey, this partnership presents an invaluable opportunity to benefit from the extensive experience and expertise of an oil group with a long history in hydrocarbon exploration and production.

Four exploration wells planned

Furthermore, Kafra Sud-Est 1 represents the initial milestone in a broader exploration initiative. According to Rabah Bouchak, Director of SIPEX in Niger, Sonatrach plans to launch four exploration wells in northern Niger over the next two years. This ambitious schedule reflects the group’s increasing interest in the region’s energy potential and reaffirms its commitment to progressively expanding its foothold in Niger. Studies and work conducted to date have revealed promising hydrocarbon prospects, lending particular importance to the upcoming exploration operations. The launch of Kafra Sud-Est 1 is therefore a crucial step in deepening understanding of the field’s potential and charting the course for its eventual development.

A new phase in Sonatrach’s African expansion

For Sonatrach, the Kafra project is integral to a wider strategy of expanding its operations across the African continent. The Algerian group already possesses experience in several African nations, notably Libya, where it is involved in exploration and production activities. Niger now emerges as a new focal point for developing its hydrocarbon expertise and operations. Sonatrach’s presence in Niger is thus evolving beyond a singular operation; it is becoming part of a long-term strategy encompassing exploration, oilfield services, skill transfer, and the development of industrial partnerships. Through Kafra Sud-Est 1, Algeria aims to leverage its energy expertise while contributing to the advancement of Niger’s petroleum sector. The visit by Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb and the official launch of drilling underscore a significant evolution in the relationship between the two countries. Following the commissioning of the Niamey power plant, the hydrocarbon sector now represents a new, major arena for cooperation. Beyond the drilling of a single well, Kafra Sud-Est 1 stands as a project of profound strategic importance: it symbolizes the shared resolve of Algiers and Niamey to transform their political rapprochement into a lasting economic partnership, making energy a vital catalyst for their cooperation and mutual development.