Niger Republic – Nigeria’s northern neighbor has installed and activated a new 55,000 panel solar energy infrastructure generating up to 30 megawatts of electricity.
The country ramped up the electricity initiative which actually began in 2018, after Nigeria withdrew its electricity supplies to the country as a sanction following the coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power in July.
Until the diplomatic row in July, Nigeria supplied up to 70% of Nigerien’s electricity needs.
The solar energy is said to be adequately serving the capital city of Niamey and neighboring cities according Niger’s Energy Minister, Mahaman Moustapha Barke.
Since the suspension of energy export by Nigeria, Niger has been grappling with cascading power outages. In response, it turned its attention to a solar project initiated since 2018 being constructed by a French consortium.
Nonetheless relations between France and the Nigerien junta in turn also strained since the coup with the new leaders trying to downsize French economic and political influence over their country.
The French Embassy in Mali acknowledged the launch of the solar power project but issued a tacit warning over operational risks, stating the project “could not be finalized under the conditions initially planned.”
The new Nigerien regime has faced various challenges due to sanctions against the country for overthrowing its democratic government. Following the coup, the World Bank said it suspended disbursements to Niger – except for private-sector partnerships, and Nigeria shut her border with Niger putting at risk an estimated annual $226.34 million trade between the two brotherly countries.
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