NIAMEY, Niger — Niger has started construction on an oil pipeline that will link it to the coast through West African
President Issoufou Mahamadou called the 1,982
China National Petroleum Corp., which has operated in Niger since 2011, was tasked with building the pipeline along with the West African Oil Pipeline Company.
This “phase of oil field operations is a historic moment for Niger,” Mahamadou said during a building launch ceremony Tuesday. It “will allow Niger to restructure its economy,” he added.
The first phase of construction requires an investment of $4 billion between 2019 and 2021. The total through completion is expected to be $7 billion, the presidency said.
Oil accounts for 4% of GDP in Niger. By 2022, it’s expected to represent 24%, according to the government.
Construction started at a site in Koulélé, located about 90
He said the project would also stimulate the building of power plants, a new airfield in Koulélé, and road and social infrastructure in areas the pipeline crosses.
Dalatou Mamane, The Associated Press