The government of Niger has announced a temporary suspension of all exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas.
Niamey said domestic production should be used to meet domestic demand, according to a Reuters report. “If there is a surplus, export authorization can be requested.”
This decision aims to ensure that the country’s national production of LPG is primarily allocated to meet domestic demand. However, in cases of surplus production, special export authorization can still be sought.
Historically, Niger has redirected excess natural gas to Nigeria. With this new directive, there could be notable implications for Nigeria’s energy market, potentially necessitating a search for alternative LPG sources. This shift may lead to changes in LPG prices and could impact the country’s energy supply chain.
While Nigeria is expected to feel the immediate effects, neighboring countries may also experience consequences. Moreover, this decision might prompt similar policy shifts in other nations, emphasizing the prioritization of domestic energy needs over exports.