Niger Struggles With Blackouts as Nigeria Cuts Power Supply Amid Regional Tensions

Niger Republic is grappling with worsening electricity shortages following Nigeria’s decision to scale back its power exports by 42%, reducing supply from 80 megawatts to just 46MW. The drastic cut has triggered widespread power outages, especially in the capital city, Niamey.

The move comes months after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions in response to the July 2023 military coup that unseated President Mohamed Bazoum.

While ECOWAS has since lifted many of those sanctions, Nigeria Niger’s primary electricity provider continues to limit power transmission, maintaining pressure on the junta-led government.

Niger’s Energy Minister, Haoua Amadou, confirmed the reduction in supply, explaining that it has caused a 30–50% drop in electricity generation across the country. As a result, Nigelec, the national utility company, has been forced to implement rolling blackouts to manage the shortage.

In response, many Nigeriens are turning to alternative energy sources, with solar panels becoming increasingly popular. Elhadj Abdou, a resident of Niamey’s Lazaret district, said solar energy had transformed life in his neighbourhood. “No more outages, no bills, we rely entirely on solar now,” he told AFP, adding that most of the equipment is imported from China at a cost of about 50,000 CFA francs (roughly 75 euros).

Despite Nigeria’s reliance on natural gas-powered thermal and hydroelectric plants to meet its own domestic energy needs, it remains a crucial player in West Africa’s energy landscape, one whose political decisions have direct consequences across borders.