"Niger's Ambassador to Beijing: 'Niger and China Maintain Excellent Cooperation and Mutual Support'"

Garba Seyni, Niger's ambassador to China for almost two years, granted an interview on November 23, 2023, to a journalist from the Nigerien Press Agency (ANP) regarding Sino-Nigerien cooperation. Here are the key points from his statements.

When asked about the state of this cooperation, the Nigerien diplomat emphasized that Niger and China are friendly nations bound by a strong win-win cooperation covering various fields. He added that China is Niger's primary partner in terms of investments. On the international stage, according to the Nigerien ambassador, Niger and China maintain excellent cooperation and mutually support each other, especially when it comes to candidacy for elective positions. He specified that the two countries share a common vision of tirelessly working towards building a better, just, and equitable world.

Regarding the outcomes of this cooperation, the Nigerien diplomat highlighted that the excellent collaboration has enabled Niger to benefit from the expertise and resources of the People's Republic of China, particularly in developing crucial sectors of Niger's socio-economic life. Notable examples include the exploitation of Niger's oil by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) since 2011, marked by the launch of the Zinder Refinery Company (SORAZ) on November 1, 2023. This achievement was made possible by the construction of a roughly 2000 km-long pipeline from the Agadem oil fields in Niger to the port of Sèmè in Benin, constituting the longest pipeline in Africa.

In the realm of infrastructure, Niger has received several donations, including the construction of the 2nd and 3rd bridges over the Niger River in Niamey, the capital, enhancing traffic flow. Additionally, China built and equipped the General Reference Hospital (HGR) with a capacity of 500 beds, a source of pride for Niger, and the General Seyni Kountché Stadium with a seating capacity of 35,000.

In the health sector, besides the construction of the General Reference Hospital, Niger has received multiple donations of medicines and medical equipment, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Regular dispatches of Chinese medical teams to Niger's hospitals have also brought joy to the population. 

In the cultural, defense, and security domains, Niger has benefited from scholarships and military equipment donations. China supports the G5 Sahel in combating insecurity in the Sahel region and is considering establishing a Confucius Institute in Niamey to allow young Nigeriens to practice martial arts and learn the Chinese language.

Concerning trade, the Nigerien diplomat mentioned significant interest from Chinese companies in Niger's agricultural products, particularly sesame. Some companies are considering building storage warehouses to facilitate transportation to China. Data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs show that from January to August 2023, the trade volumes between Niger and China amounted to $528 million, with the majority of imports to China consisting of agricultural products and minerals.

It is crucial to note that Niger benefits from investments by private Chinese companies, such as China-Africa Building Material SA (CBM Nig), which constructed the Badaguichiri cement plant producing "Mango" Cement.

Within the framework of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, involving over 150 countries aiming to enhance global trade and improve the quality of life for populations, Niger could benefit from a project to rehabilitate the Abalak-Tamaya section of the Nigerien Trans-Sahelian Highway, stretching 71 km.

In terms of prospects, Sino-Nigerien cooperation is strengthening day by day and could have a promising future in various sectors. According to the Nigerien diplomat, the most significant sector is oil, where the exploitation of new blocks could increase daily production. Niger could also focus on petrochemical development and capitalize on other oil derivatives like tar.

Ambassador Garba Seyni emphasized that Niger also has enormous potential in the mining sector, particularly uranium. Rational exploitation in cooperation with China could have a positive impact on the national budget, boosting sectors such as energy and agriculture, which could develop with resources from oil and mines, benefiting from the expertise of the People's Republic of China.