Algeria and Niger have launched drilling operations at the Kafra South-East 1 exploratory oil well in northern Niger, marking a new phase in energy cooperation between the two countries.

Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb said the Kafra project represents a new cornerstone of the strategic partnership between Algeria and Niger.

He said the two countries aim to go beyond exploration and build an integrated and sustainable oil and gas partnership covering exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals and petroleum marketing.

The drilling operation is being carried out by Algeria’s National Drilling Company, ENAFOR, a Sonatrach subsidiary, in cooperation with Niger’s National Petroleum Company, SONIDEP. The Kafra South-East 1 well is located in the Agadez region, about 85 kilometers from Algeria’s southern border.

Ghrieb said the exploration campaign will assess the field’s oil potential and could pave the way for future development and production. The partnership also includes technology transfer, training and capacity building for Nigerien professionals.

The Algerian Prime Minister further said cooperation will extend to other areas, including the maintenance of the Zinder refinery and evaluation of additional oil blocks in Niger.

The launch comes as Algeria and Niger seek to strengthen economic cooperation and regional integration. Ghrieb said the Kafra project, together with wider energy initiatives such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, could contribute to stronger African energy cooperation and development.

The two countries are also pursuing joint projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education, digitalization, trade, transport and finance, with both governments emphasizing border regions as potential centers of shared development and cooperation.