Niger rations fuel to counter Strait of Hormuz supply disruptions
A worsening fuel shortage in Niger is disrupting daily life, with long queues forming at petrol stations and frustrated commuters struggling to fill their tanks. The crisis has affected five of the country’s eight regions, with southern areas near the Nigerian border among the hardest hit.
Footage from Zinder on Monday, April 6, showed long lines of tricycles and motorcycles waiting for fuel. Residents said the shortages were becoming increasingly difficult to manage, with many forced to wait for hours and sometimes leaving empty-handed. Some customers said stations often ran out of fuel before they could be served, while others were turned away because of closing times or equipment problems.
Local reports said rationing measures now limit drivers to 20 to 30 litres per car and 5 to 10 litres for tricycles, while essential service vehicles are being prioritised. Commuters voiced frustration that shortages were hitting an oil-producing country that also refines fuel in Zinder.
The crisis comes as global oil prices rise following disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Although Niger has produced oil since 2011 and the Zinder refinery supplies about 1.1 million litres a day, demand has outstripped supply. The pressure has also been worsened by higher fuel prices in neighbouring Nigeria, which have reduced the flow of smuggled fuel that many communities in southern Niger have long relied on.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
