The Republic of Niger can be divided into two sedimentary and tectonic provinces: a Palaezoic platform-type province in the north and west, and a series of Mesozoic grabens in the east. Thick Palaezoic successions are present in the NW (in the Tamesna-Talak area of the lullemeden Basin), and the NE (in the Djado Basin). The petroleum potential of these areas is not yet proven. By analogy with the Algeriam Illizi Basin and the Libyan Murzuk Basin, Silurian source rocks together with Ordovician, Devonian and Carboniferous sandstone reservoir units may occur here. In East Niger, a complex rift system, whose sedimentary fill ranges in age from Late Jurassic to Early Tertiary, has proven petroleum potential. Reservoir rocks are mainly Cretaceous to Eocene sandstones, sourced by Cretaceous marine shales and Oligocene lacustrine shales. This paper reviews the petroleum geology of Niger, and assesses potential exploration targets. Commercial developments can shortly be expected following the construction of an export pipeline from Chad to Cameroon, and the resumption of drilling activity in the Agadem and Djado Basins.