Algeria’s state-owned oil company has started supplying Jet A1 aviation fuel to Niger, opening a new fuel supply route into the Sahel and potentially increasing competition for Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery.

The first delivery was made on August 15 under an agreement between Algeria’s Sonatrach and Niger’s state-owned oil company, SONIDEP. The fuel was supplied from Sonatrach’s Adrar refinery.

Sonatrach said the deal marks the start of direct commercial cooperation with SONIDEP as Algeria seeks to strengthen its energy and trade relationships across the Sahel.

The move comes as Dangote Refinery continues to expand its footprint in African fuel markets. The Nigerian refinery, with a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, has been exporting refined products, including aviation fuel, to international and African markets.

Algeria’s entry into Niger’s aviation fuel market gives the country another source of refined petroleum products and could eventually extend beyond Niger.

Sonatrach said the agreement could lead to regular supplies of petroleum products to other Sahel countries. Algeria has also been exploring fuel partnerships with Burkina Faso, while its distributor, Naftal, has discussed supplying Niger with gasoline, Jet A1 and liquefied petroleum gas.

The cooperation between Algeria and Niger is also expanding into crude oil. On August 14, the two companies jointly marketed their first cargo of Nigerien Meleck crude from the Sèmè terminal in Benin.

The growing partnership shows Algeria’s push to strengthen its position in the West African and Sahelian energy markets.

For Dangote Refinery, the development could mean increased competition if Algeria expands its petroleum product supplies across the region.