Minister of Petroleum Hamadou Tini and Minister of Commerce Abdoulaye Seydou visited the Sonidep strategic depot in Sorey on 21 October 2026. The two officials inspected the facility as part of the Nigerien government's ongoing effort to monitor fuel distribution across the country. Their presence at the site follows a series of recent assessments regarding national supply chains. On October 21, 2026, the Minister of Petroleum, Hamadou Tini, and the Minister of Commerce, Abdoulaye Seydou, visited the Sonidep strategic depot in Sorey to evaluate the operational status of the facility firsthand.
Current Fuel Distribution Operations
Sonidep manages the national fuel network by distributing approximately 1.15 million liters of fuel daily. This volume is intended to maintain consistent supply levels across the country through the existing infrastructure. The Sonidep distributes approximately 1.15 million liters of fuel daily on the national network, ensuring that the logistical requirements of the state are met through continuous management of the supply chain.
Stations-service must now cease operations between 21:00 and 06:00. Government officials implemented this overnight closure window to facilitate the refilling of storage tanks during hours when public demand is reduced. Stations-service are required to close between 21:00 and 06:00 to allow for tank refilling, a measure designed to optimize the efficiency of the distribution network during the designated overnight period. This strategic pause in retail activity is intended to ensure that underground storage infrastructure remains adequately stocked to meet the needs of the public during peak daylight hours.
Station owners finalized a new weekly delivery schedule on 19 October 2026. This arrangement aims to standardize the arrival of fuel shipments and ensure consistent supply management at retail locations. A weekly delivery schedule for fuel was established on October 19, 2026, with station owners. By formalizing this timeline, the Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Commerce seek to eliminate inconsistencies in the replenishment process.
The coordination between the Nigerien government and station owners serves as the primary mechanism for regulating the flow of petroleum products. Minister of Petroleum Hamadou Tini and Minister of Commerce Abdoulaye Seydou emphasized that the oversight of the Sonidep strategic depot in Sorey is essential for maintaining the integrity of the fuel supply. The implementation of the new schedule is expected to bring greater predictability to the operations of all stations-service across the country. As the government monitors the impact of these changes, the focus remains on ensuring that the 1.15 million liters distributed daily reach their intended destinations without interruption. The collaboration with station owners remains a central component of the government's current strategy to manage national fuel resources effectively.
