Niger+Stability

Executive Summary:
It is likely that Chinese infrastructure projects in Niger have affected Niger's stability in a positive way, most notably in economics. In 2008,China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed a USD 5 billion joint venture agreement with the Nigerien government for construction of a 20,000 barrels per day Soraz refinery near Zinder, which became operational in Nov. 2011 and is Niger's major refinery. In 2012, CNPC agreed to cut Niger's interest rate for the loan used to construct the refinery. Reuters reports Niger's economic growth will hit 7.5 percent in 2014 due to improvements on oil production and a decrease in interest payments on debt for its share of the country's Zinder oil refinery. Chinese infrastructure projects of the Soraz refinery, uranium mines, Agedem block, and export pipeline of Soraz refinery has all helped the economy of Niger because now these projects are joint ventures between the two countries. The uranium mine has even helped with social and technological stability in the Niamey region of Niger, due to China's uranium interests transferring power units to Niger to help increase the electrical power.

** Analytic Confidence: **
Analytic confidence for this assessment is low. Source reliability is medium. The analyst had low expertise and worked alone, but did use the methodology of Analysis of Competing Hypothesis and collaborated with a group. However, had only 6 pieces of evidence.The subject is moderately complex and the deadline was moderately difficult to meet.
 * Analyst:** RoseAnna Wright