Niamey. Niger has given Chinese oil companies 45 days to return an estimated 3,000 billion FCFA (about $5.2 billion) in crude export revenues. Authorities say the money has not been repatriated since exports began in April 2024.
The ultimatum was set out in an official statement read on October 13 by Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangaré. It targets CNPC, WAPCO and the Zinder refinery SORAZ. A government monitoring committee reviewed progress on the 45 commitments in the partnership protocol signed on May 18, 2026, and published severe findings. Counting from October 13, the deadline falls in late November.
Niamey says CNPC kept most of its export earnings outside the national banking system, in institutions including some in Paris and Hong Kong. The committee listed seven failings. Officials say the situation has caused major losses for the state and local banks.
The complaints go beyond revenue. The government says the 2026 local-content quotas of 20 per cent for CNPC, 25 per cent for WAPCO and 56 per cent for SORAZ lack credible supporting evidence. It also says SORAZ and WAPCO still refuse to start independent audits of their staffing. SORAZ is running at 15,000 barrels a day, 75 per cent of its 20,000 barrel capacity, which is straining domestic fuel supply.
The dispute has been building. The junta ordered the Niger-based directors of CNPC, WAPCo and SORAZ to leave within 48 hours in 2025, amid disputes over pay for local staff and the pace of work on projects. Niger has since secured an agreement in principle for a 45 per cent stake in WAPCO, and the pipeline tariff to Benin fell from $27 to $15 a barrel.
The move reflects the wider push by Niger's military government for greater control over its natural resources and oil revenues. It also tests ties with Beijing, the country's main oil partner. CNPC owns 60 per cent of SORAZ, with Niger holding 40 per cent, and as of December 2023 it was the only company producing oil in Niger.
I found no response from CNPC, WAPCO or SORAZ.
Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/Science communicator, Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,United States Institute of Peace (USIP), [email protected] +233555275880
Sources
Tamtaminfo (Oct 2026): https://tamtaminfo.com/3-000-milliards-de-fcfa-non-rapatries-nigerisation-au-point-mort-letat-tape-du-poing-sur-la-table-face-aux-petroliers-chinois/
Journal du Niger (Oct 14, 2026): https://www.journalduniger.com/niger-petrole-ultimatum-cnpc-3000-milliards-fcfa/
La Nouvelle Tribune: https://lanouvelletribune.info/2026/10/petrole-le-niger-lance-un-ultimatum-de-45-jours-aux-societes-chinoises/
Reuters, via Yahoo (2025 expulsions): https://www.yahoo.com/news/niger-orders-three-chinese-oil-184044346.html
Wikipedia, "Petroleum industry in Niger" (background): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_industry_in_Niger
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