Niger and Algeria have announced plans to restore cooperation and move forward on the long-delayed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline following a high-level meeting in Algiers.

Niger’s junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Monday, marking a significant improvement in relations after nearly a year of tension. The diplomatic strain followed an incident last April when Algeria shot down a drone from Mali, straining ties with Niger and other Sahel states.

Following the meeting, both leaders expressed a shared commitment to strengthening “fraternal cooperation” and rebuilding neighbourly relations. Tebboune described Tiani’s visit as the “end of an abnormal period of chilliness” between the two nations.

One of the key outcomes of the talks is the plan to begin construction on the 4,000-kilometre Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, which will carry gas from Nigeria through Niger to Algeria. The project, delayed for more than 15 years, is expected to restart after the conclusion of Ramadan in March.
The rapprochement comes after Algeria reinstated its ambassador to Niamey last week, while Niger’s envoy in Algiers also resumed duties, signaling a relaunch of diplomatic dialogue.

Tebboune also pledged support for Niger in sectors such as health and education, as the West African country continues to face serious economic challenges. In a related move, an Algerian delegation traveled to Burkina Faso to explore collaboration in mining and hydrocarbons.

However, observers note that it remains uncertain whether this thaw with Niger will extend to Mali, which has expressed concerns over Algeria’s ties to armed groups along their shared border. Malian officials emphasized that Niger is free to engage diplomatically, provided it does not undermine the interests of the Sahel confederation.