Canadian industrial energy company Zimar Group has signed an agreement to develop a refinery and petrochemical complex in Niger, with an estimated production capacity of 100 kb/d (Nigerien Press Agency, 15/08/2026). The refinery is being developed by a relatively unknown company with no demonstrated track record of managing projects of this scale or complexity.
The project is valued at approximately FCFA 1,077bn (USD1.9bn). The agreement will enter into force upon signature and will run for a total of 16 years, including 3 years of construction followed by 13 years of operation. The financial close must take place within 12 months.
Under the agreement, Zimar Group will construct the energy infrastructure in Dosso, in south-western Niger, before transferring ownership of the facilities to the state following the 13-year operating period.
Niger has been stepping up efforts to develop its oil resources. This week, the country began joint drilling activities with Algeria on the Kafra oil block in Agadez, close to the border with the North African country (Algeria Press Service, 13/08/2026). Meanwhile, with support from Algerian energy major Sonatrach, Niger loaded its first cargo of Meleck crude oil at the Sèmè oil terminal in Benin (Algeria Press Service, 14/08/2026).