The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has announced the participation of Niger’s newly appointed Minister of Petroleum, Mines and Energy, Mahaman Moustapha Barké, as a keynote speaker at the 2023 African Energy Week (AEW) conference and exhibition, scheduled for October 16-20 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Barké will shed light on the opportunities and challenges within Niger’s dynamic energy sector while providing valuable insights into promising investment prospects that can propel sustainable development in the region.
Niger holds proven reserves of 150 million barrels of oil and 0.9 trillion cubic feet of gas, as well as substantial deposits of minerals and untapped renewable energy resources resulting in its energy sector emerging as a focal point for investment opportunities.
As one of the largest countries in West Africa, Niger boasts substantial surface water resources in regions like the Niger River basin and the Lake Chad basin, along with a wealth of mineral resources, including uranium, gold, coal, and oil.
The country has garnered substantial investor interest, driven by its abundant solar and wind resources. Notably, Savannah Energy Niger Solar entered into an agreement with the government to develop two solar power plants with a total capacity of 200 MW. This initiative follows a 2022 deal between the same company and the government for a 250 MW wind project.
Meanwhile, on the oil front, Niger is set to begin crude oil developments by the end of 2023, marking a significant milestone in its oil production journey. Currently, Niger produces 20,000 bpd from the Agadem block, operated by the Chinese National Oil Company (CNPC), processed domestically at the Zinder refinery.
AEW is the African Energy Chamber’s annual conference with exhibition and networking events. AEW 2023 will unite African energy policymakers and stakeholders with global investors to discuss and maximize opportunities within the continent’s entire energy industry.
