Summary:

On 16 February 2026, Algeria and Niger took steps to strengthen their bilateral partnership following the official visit of Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tiani to Algiers amidst a broadening thawing of bilateral relations.  

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced the relaunch of the long-planned Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, a 4,000-kilometer project to transport Nigerian gas through Niger to Algeria for export to Europe. Sonatrach is expected to lead construction on Nigerien territory after Ramadan, while Nigeria has previously expressed support for the initiative. 

Additionally, an interministerial meeting chaired by Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb reviewed joint projects across energy, infrastructure, industry, health, trade, and training, aiming to implement commitments made during the presidential visit and deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries. 

Outlook: 

While Algeria’s diplomatic relations with Niger were strained following the Malian drone incident in March 2025, recent engagements indicate that Algeria is interested in restoring these links and use them to advance the long-standing Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project (TSGP). The timeline is viewed as a cornerstone of Algeria’s strategic competition with Morocco for economic and diplomatic influence in the region.  

Successful execution of the envisioned TSGP project will require sustained coordination with Niger and Nigeria, as the pipeline will cross both countries’ territories. In addition to addressing diplomatic and regulatory challenges, Algeria is expected to focus on aligning regional energy strategies and infrastructure planning to ensure the project’s timely implementation and operational viability. 

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