Niger–Benin Pipeline: Africa’s Longest Crude Corridor

By Joshua Illya

The Niger–Benin Oil Pipeline, stretching 1,950 kilometers from Niger’s Agadem oilfields to the Sèmé-Kraké terminal in Benin, now stands as the longest crude pipeline on the African continent. Operated by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), it represents a transformative shift for Niger’s oil industry.

The first crude shipments reached the Beninese coast in 2024, marking a turning point for landlocked Niger, which has long struggled to secure access to global markets. Until now, the country produced about 20,000 barrels a day, most of it consumed domestically due to the lack of export infrastructure.

With the new pipeline’s capacity of 110,000 barrels per day, Niger is positioned to multiply its output and gain a foothold in the international oil trade. Meanwhile, Benin strengthens its role as a regional export hub, and China deepens its strategic presence in West Africa’s energy landscape.