President Tebboune Says Algeria Will Preserve Longstanding Friendship With Niger, Announces Trans-Saharan Pipeline Project

ALGIERS – February 16, 2026 – President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Monday that Algeria will preserve its longstanding friendship with Niger, stressing that the visit of Nigerien President Abdourahamane Tiani had strengthened ties of fraternity and cooperation between the two neighbouring nations.

“I would like to express my joy at welcoming my dear brother, General Abdourahamane Tiani, on a visit we had been awaiting for some time and which has now materialized,” Tebboune said in a joint statement following talks at the Presidency headquarters.

The Algerian president added that the visit had ended an “unusual period marked by a certain coolness” in relations, even though the two brotherly peoples had maintained contact. He stressed that the visit reinforced bonds of friendship between Algeria and Niger as neighbours and partners.

Tebboune said the two sides had agreed to strengthen cooperation in several areas, notably security cooperation, energy cooperation in hydrocarbons and electricity, as well as professional, military and university training.

“We will preserve the friendship that has united us with Niger for generations,” Tebboune said, noting that relations between the two countries would serve as an example in Africa.

He also announced that the two leaders had agreed to launch the trans-Saharan gas pipeline project across Niger after the holy month of Ramadan, adding that Sonatrach would begin installing the pipeline across Nigerien territory.

Earlier in the day, President Tebboune gave an official welcome to President Tiani at the Presidency headquarters. The two leaders reviewed units of the Republican Guard that rendered honours before posing for a commemorative photo with representatives of national and foreign media.

During his visit, the Nigerien president also paid tribute at the Maqam Echahid in Algiers, honouring the martyrs of Algeria’s War of Independence.

President Tiani began his fraternal and working visit to Algeria on Sunday at the head of a large delegation, at the invitation of President Tebboune. The two leaders later held one-on-one talks, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and deepening relations between Algeria and Niger.