What keeps it alive
Nigeria supplies ~70% of Niger's electricity through the Nigerian Electricity Company. This dependency was used as leverage during the 2023 coup crisis. Nigeria cut power supply. Niger's junta severed ties. Relations are technically suspended at ambassador level.
Active drivers
SECURITY · TRADE
Anchors
Electricity dependency · Shared border · Boko Haram MNJTF cooperation (now suspended) · Trade corridors
Accountability
Niger's junta explicitly cited Nigerian interference (ECOWAS threat and electricity cutoff) as justification for the severance. Nigeria's electricity cutoff affected civilian populations who had no part in the coup. The 70% electricity dependency was never structured with adequate protection for civilian continuity.
Key moments
- 2023July 26 2023: Coup against President Bazoum. ECOWAS (led by Nigeria) threatened military intervention. Nigeria cut electricity to Niger. Niger's junta severed diplomatic relations with Nigeria, France, USA, and Togo. No ECOWAS intervention followed.