Niger has revoked the operating licences of dozens of fuel transport companies and tanker drivers who refused to deliver petroleum supplies to neighbouring Mali, authorities said, as insecurity linked to jihadist violence continues to disrupt critical trade routes in the Sahel.
The decision follows repeated refusals by transport operators to move fuel convoys across dangerous highways leading into Mali, where militant attacks on tankers have intensified in recent months. An Al-Qaeda–linked group has, since September, imposed what regional officials describe as a de facto fuel blockade on Mali, targeting supply lines in an effort to cripple the country’s economy and military operations.
Security sources say petrol tankers travelling from Niger into Mali have been ambushed, burned or looted, particularly along routes serving Mali’s vast northern desert regions. Several drivers have been killed or injured in attacks, prompting transport unions and private operators to suspend operations despite contractual obligations.
Mali, a landlocked country with limited domestic refining capacity, is heavily dependent on fuel imports from neighbouring states to power its economy, military and basic services. Disruptions to fuel deliveries have led to shortages in several regions, driving up prices and worsening humanitarian conditions in areas already affected by conflict and displacement.
In July, Niger and Mali signed a bilateral agreement under which Niger committed to supplying 85 million litres of fuel over a six-month period. The deal was aimed primarily at supporting Mali’s northern regions, where armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State remain active despite ongoing military operations by Bamako’s forces.
Niger, which became an oil-producing country in recent years following the development of its Agadem oilfields and the completion of a crude export pipeline to Benin, has positioned itself as a key energy partner for Mali. Officials in Niamey have described fuel deliveries as a strategic obligation tied to regional solidarity and security cooperation.
However, transport operators argue that the risks have become intolerable. Several drivers have told local media that convoys are frequently attacked despite military escorts, while compensation and insurance coverage remain inadequate. The revocation of licences, they say, effectively punishes civilians for refusing to undertake what they describe as “suicide missions”.
Authorities in Niger have defended the move, saying refusal to honour fuel supply contracts undermines national interests and regional commitments. Officials argue that fuel shortages in Mali could weaken the fight against jihadist groups that operate across borders and threaten both countries.
The decision comes amid heightened insecurity across the central Sahel, where Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are all battling insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates. All three countries are currently governed by military juntas that came to power through coups since 2020, citing the failure of civilian governments to restore security.
The three juntas have since deepened cooperation, forming the Alliance of Sahel States and severing defence ties with Western partners while strengthening relations with Russia. Despite joint military operations, jihadist violence has continued, particularly along major transport corridors used for fuel, food and commercial goods.
Analysts warn that sustained fuel shortages could have far-reaching consequences for Mali, including disruptions to electricity generation, transport, food distribution and military logistics. They also caution that forcing reluctant drivers back onto dangerous routes could exacerbate tensions and further destabilise trade.
Humanitarian groups say the blockade and resulting shortages are already affecting vulnerable communities, particularly in remote northern regions where access to basic services is limited.
For Niger, the revocation of licences highlights the difficult balance between maintaining regional solidarity and protecting civilian lives, as jihadist violence continues to reshape economic and security dynamics across the Sahel.
