In the aftermath of last week’s coup in Niger, major cities in the country are facing rolling blackouts due to power shortages. Niger’s electricity company, Nigelec, attributes the power cuts to Nigeria cutting supplies to its northern neighbor.
The situation has been exacerbated by the West African trading bloc ECOWAS imposing sanctions on Niger in response to the coup, though it is unclear if electricity supplies are part of these sanctions.
ECOWAS defense chiefs are convening in Nigeria to address the crisis in Niger, while European countries are evacuating their citizens from the country.
Residents in cities such as Niamey, Maradi, and Zinder are experiencing hour-long power availability followed by up to five hours of blackout. Such disruptions are uncommon in Niger, which typically enjoys regular and reliable electricity supplies. However, the country heavily relies on its wealthier neighbor to the south, Nigeria, as its main electricity supplier.
While the Transmission Company of Nigeria has declined to comment on the power cuts, an anonymous source disclosed that the supply to Niger was halted on Tuesday following a presidential directive. The situation has heightened concerns about the stability of the region and the impact of the coup on essential services and daily life in Niger.
