Niger is the world’s seventh-largest producer of uranium, with several major mines. The most prominent, known as Imouraren, is operated by French majority state-owned firm Orano and produces more than 2,000 tonnes of uranium annually, around 5% of global production. Traditionally, France has relied on Imouraren alone for a fifth of the fuel for its nuclear facilities, a figure that increased after the United States imposed trade sanctions on Russia in April 2024. The European Union overall imports just over 25% of its uranium needs from Niger, amounting to 2,975 tonnes in 2022.
All this has been complicated by the collapse in relations between Niger and European countries, particularly France, since a military coup in 2023—and by Niamey’s growing ties with Moscow.
On June 19, following a series of warnings, Niger’s new rulers revoked Orano’s license to operate in the uranium mining sector. It sent an army detachment to the mine, in the northern region of Agadez, to order workers to evacuate the site. In addition, it ordered several other Canadian and Australian companies to suspend their work within three months, saying their licenses would then be revoked.
The French company asked several prominent figures in Niger to mediate with the head of the Transitional Military Council, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, to negotiate a new license, but the president refused to meet the company’s representatives. Orano then pressured Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine to the same end, but he refused to yield, and instead ordered Niger’s forces to intensify security at the mine and prevent the company’s workers from entering.
Orano now faces being force to withdraw permanently from Niger unless it receives a new license within three months of the cancellation of the original one. The company has repeatedly announced dates by which it expects to return to the mine, most recently the end of June, but at the time of writing it was still locked out.
Russian Ambitions
Russia appears to be seeking control of the uranium mining sector in Niger, both to bolster its own nuclear capabilities and to dominate more of the uranium market. This would strengthen its economy and put pressure on European countries that have reduced or halted purchases of the metal from Russia to resume them—especially since France, which depends on nuclear plants for nearly 75% of its energy, has now lost one of its most important sources of uranium.
The Center for African Security Studies has learned that a delegation from the Russian state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom visited Niger in early June, headed by Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov, to discuss a deal to hand management of the Orano-operated uranium mines over to Russian control.
Russia is reportedly considering extending a grant to Niger to enable it to pay off debts on which it defaulted in 2023, estimated at $520 million, as well as giving the military council economic and military assistance against jihadist organizations and enhancing security in the country. The 25-year agreement would reportedly see around 70% of the mine’s profits would go to the state, while the rest would go to its Russian operators.
Moscow is hoping that this will help it secure additional uranium resources, allowing it to double exports to new markets and to dominate the world nuclear energy market by gaining control of the most important uranium resources in Africa. It is worth noting that Russia has reached deals to build nuclear power plants in several countries, including Türkiye, all of which will need uranium fuel in order to operate.
Niger’s Calculations
Niger is in a tight spot, with an economy in a tailspin and a 40% slump in its budget compared to 2023. It is also in a dispute with Benin, which temporarily suspended exports of Niger’s oilthrough a Chinese pipeline following the coup, despite receiving an advance of $400 million for its share in future oil sales. Such pressures mean Niamey has little option but to reach a deal with Russia over its uranium resources.
Niger’s economic crisis has dramatically pushed up food prices, and about 14 million people—55% of the population—now live below the poverty line. On top of these economic challenges, the country faces growing security threats. The Islamic State group’s Sahel and West Africa branches, as well as the Al-Qaeda-linked Front for the Victory of Islam and Muslims (known as JNIM), have all intensified attacks on areas of western Niger close to the borders with Mali and Nigeria.
Seeking a way out of the country’s impasse, Tchiani’s Military Council reached a secret agreement with Tehran in December last year to supply Iran with large quantities of uranium in exchange for advanced weapons including rifles, drones and missiles.
Moving forward, the junta is likely to increase its cooperation with Russia in various fields, especially uranium mining. It is expected to grant Russian companies licenses to operate Niger’s uranium mines, notably Arlit, the country’s largest, with reserves estimated at 48 million tonnes of ore.
This strategy could give Niger’s rulers a way both to salvage the economy and tackle the escalating security crisis. The question will be whether or not Russia can deliver.
