- Niger turns to solar energy as Nigeria slashes electricity exports following post-coup sanctions.
- Demand for solar products surges in cities and rural areas, driven by lower prices and frequent blackouts.
- New solar projects are underway, including a 30mw plant near Niamey and plans for 219mw more to boost energy independence.
Niger is rapidly turning to solar energy after Nigeria slashed electricity exports. The power cut followed regional sanctions over the 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Nigeria dropped its supply to Niger from 80 megawatts to 46 megawatts. Energy Minister Haoua Amadou said this decision caused a 30 to 50 per cent decline in the country’s electricity supply. The Nigerien Electricity Company (Nigelec) now imposes frequent blackouts across Niamey and other cities.
The government has responded by boosting local energy efforts. Authorities are promoting solar power as a key alternative. “We must reduce our dependence on others,” Minister Amadou said.
People in Niamey are buying solar systems in large numbers. Chinese manufacturers provide most of the equipment. Vendors have slashed prices by half, allowing more families to afford solar kits.
Many homes now use these systems to run lights, fans, and televisions. Hilaire Houndegnon, a solar dealer, reported a spike in demand. “Sales have doubled,” he said. “Everyone wants control over their electricity.”
Another vendor, Djibril Tata, noted steady growth in the solar market. Better batteries and trained technicians support the surge. Installers now handle more projects with improved speed and skill.
Solar panels power water pumps and health clinics in rural communities. Local authorities use donor support to reach off-grid areas. The World Bank and Arab partners fund many of these projects.
In 2024, Niger launched a 30-megawatt solar plant near Niamey. The European Union financed the project before the coup. Officials now plan to expand this progress. They plan a 19-megawatt facility in Agadez and a 200-megawatt plant elsewhere in the country.
Niger also participates in the African Development Bank’s Desert to Power initiative. The programme targets 10,000 megawatts of new solar capacity across the Sahel. Niger’s government sees this as a path to energy self-reliance.
Leaders want solar to drive economic growth and national stability. “Solar is no longer just a backup,” Minister Amadou said. “It’s now a pillar of our energy vision.”
Political tensions have exposed Niger’s energy risks. Nigeria’s supply cut forced the country to act quickly. Solar energy offers a practical solution to this challenge.
Experts believe Niger’s pivot may influence other countries. More West African nations could invest in local energy sources and reduce cross-border dependence.
With power cuts continuing, citizens keep turning to solar solutions. Households, shops, and clinics now rely on sunlight to keep running. The shift marks a new chapter for Niger’s energy future—built on urgency, resilience, and rising independence.