Niger bans overnight fuel sales as a nationwide shortage bites

Africanews reported on 25 October that Niger has barred fuel sales nationwide between 21:00 and 06:00, with designated stations exempt. The government argues that the 9-hour gap gives suppliers, chiefly the state distributor Sonidep, time to refill forecourts. Jerrycan sales away from the pumps are also banned in every district with at least 1 station. The taxi drivers' union Synctaxi has asked for the curfew to be eased, saying drivers now need a permit to buy fuel.

The shortage comes from a supply gap. Nairametrics reports that Trade Minister Abdoulaye Seydou banned petrol and diesel exports on 17 October; only Sonidep and SORAZ, the operator of the Zinder refinery, may ship surplus product with ministry approval. The refinery runs at roughly 20,000 barrels a day.

Older figures show the scale of the deficit. AFP reported on 9 October that Colonel Ali Seybou, the sacked head of Sonidep, had put Zinder's output at 1.6 million litres a day against consumption of 3 million litres. The same report notes that smuggled fuel, which grew expensive after Nigeria scrapped its subsidy, once covered as much as 50% of the market. Stations in Maradi were rationing 2 litres for motorcycles and 10 litres for cars.