Algeria and Niger invigorate energy collaboration with new oil exploration

Algeria and Niger boost energy cooperation

Kafra Sud-Est 1 exploration begins

Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, acting on President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s directive, traveled to Niger on Thursday. There, alongside his Nigerien counterpart, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, he oversaw the official commencement of drilling operations for the Kafra Sud-Est 1 exploration well. This significant undertaking marks a fresh chapter in the strategic alliance between Algiers and Niamey, simultaneously bolstering Sonatrach’s expanding footprint within Niger.

Upon reaching the Kafra oilfield, located in northern Niger approximately 85 kilometers from the Algerian border, Prime Minister Ghrieb received a warm welcome from his Nigerien counterpart, who was accompanied by government officials and high-ranking national figures. This visit underscores the shared commitment of both nations’ leaders to revitalize Algeria-Niger relations, elevating them beyond political alignment towards tangible economic and energy collaboration.
The initiation of drilling at Kafra Sud-Est 1 directly embodies this renewed momentum. It represents a foundational, on-the-ground manifestation of the desire to strengthen joint ventures in critical sectors such as energy and hydrocarbons.
Sifi Ghrieb emphasized that this operation signifies «another cornerstone» in the strategic partnership between Algeria and Niger, noting its timing just weeks after the inauguration of the Niamey power plant.
«Today, merely two months and ten days following the commissioning of the Niamey power plant, we gather again to lay another crucial foundation for our strategic partnership,» the Prime Minister stated during the official ceremony.
This fresh impetus stems from the expressed determination of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his Nigerien counterpart, General Abdourahamane Tiani, to solidify bilateral ties and translate their political will into concrete programs and projects.
Furthermore, this initiative aligns with the outcomes of the second session of the Algerian-Nigerien Joint High Commission for Cooperation, which convened in Niamey on March 23 and 24, 2026.

High-stakes exploration operation

The drilling of the Kafra Sud-Est 1 well is part of comprehensive exploration efforts aimed at thoroughly assessing the Kafra field’s oil potential before considering any development and production phases. For Sonatrach, the stakes are multi-faceted: energetic, industrial, and strategic. The Algerian group intends to leverage its extensive expertise for this operation while firmly establishing its long-term presence in Niger. This project involves several of the group’s subsidiaries. The Entreprise nationale de forage (Enafor) is responsible for coordinating the human, technical, and logistical resources required for the well’s completion. The Entreprise nationale de services aux puits (ENSP) contributes its specialized skills, while the Entreprise nationale de géophysique (ENG) provides its expertise for geophysical operations. This unified effort showcases Algerian know-how in the hydrocarbon sector, allowing Sonatrach to bring together various competencies for a single international project.
Enafor’s CEO, Brahim Hammoudi, articulated this ambition clearly, emphasizing the company’s commitment to «solidifying its presence in Niger through a vision of sustainable cooperation.»
Beyond its technical execution, Kafra Sud-Est 1 is intended to serve as a showcase for Algerian drilling expertise, simultaneously enabling Enafor to enhance its experience in global markets.

Niger: a growing partner in energy development

However, cooperation between the two nations is not expected to be confined solely to exploration activities. A memorandum of understanding, inked on June 2 between Enafor and the Société nationale nigérienne du pétrole (Sonidep), outlines plans to study the establishment of a joint venture specializing in drilling. This initiative could pave the way for deeper industrial collaboration, particularly focusing on skills transfer, human resource training, and strengthening local capabilities. For Algeria, this signifies both expanding its companies’ operations in Niger and contributing to the growth of Niger’s petroleum industry. For Niamey, this partnership offers a valuable opportunity to leverage the extensive experience and expertise of a petroleum group with a long track record in hydrocarbon exploration and production.

Four exploration wells planned

Kafra Sud-Est 1 also represents the initial milestone in a more expansive exploration program. According to Rabah Bouchak, SIPEX Director in Niger, Sonatrach intends to commence drilling four exploration wells in northern Niger over the next two years. This ambitious schedule reflects the group’s escalating interest in the region’s energy potential and reaffirms its commitment to progressively solidify its presence in Niger.
Preliminary studies and work conducted to date have revealed promising hydrocarbon potential, lending significant importance to the upcoming exploration operations.
Therefore, the launch of Kafra Sud-Est 1 is a pivotal step for deepening understanding of the field’s potential and outlining its future development prospects.

Sonatrach’s African expansion takes a new turn

For Sonatrach, the Kafra project is integral to a broader strategy aimed at expanding its operations across the African continent.
The Algerian group already possesses experience in various African nations, including Libya, where it engages in exploration and production activities. Niger is now emerging as a fresh focal point for the expansion of its hydrocarbon operations and expertise.
Sonatrach’s engagement in Niger is no longer merely a sporadic operation. It is evolving into a long-term strategy encompassing exploration, petroleum services, skills transfer, and the cultivation of industrial partnerships.
Through Kafra Sud-Est 1, Algeria aims to showcase its energy expertise while simultaneously contributing to the advancement of Niger’s petroleum sector.
Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb’s visit and the official launch of drilling underscore a significant progression in the bilateral relationship. Following the operationalization of the Niamey power plant, the hydrocarbon sector now stands as a crucial new domain for cooperation.
More than just a single well drilling project, Kafra Sud-Est 1 emerges as a strategically impactful undertaking. It symbolizes Algiers and Niamey’s commitment to transforming their political rapprochement into an enduring economic partnership, positioning energy as a vital catalyst for their mutual cooperation and shared development.