The Niger Republic is seeking new partnerships with Russian firms to develop its vast natural resources, especially uranium, following the exit of French energy giant Orano.
Niger’s mining minister, Ousmane Abarchi, confirmed in a recent interview that the country is already in talks with Russian companies interested in exploring and exploiting Niger’s rich mineral resources.
“We have already met with Russian companies that are interested in coming to explore and exploit Niger’s natural resources… not only uranium,” Abarchi said in the interview with Russia’s Ria Novosti.
This shift in foreign investment strategy comes after a breakdown in relations between Niger’s military government and French interests.
In July 2023, the country’s military junta took control in a coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Since then, tensions with France, which had previously been a major partner in Niger’s uranium production, have grown.
In particular, French company Orano, a major player in uranium mining, halted operations in Niger last month due to the deteriorating political climate.
“We cannot continue to operate under these conditions,” said Orano in a statement explaining its decision.
The company’s exit has left Niger searching for new investors to fill the gap, particularly in the uranium sector, where the country is one of the world’s top producers.
Abarchi made it clear that, unlike France, Niger is open to new partnerships. “With regards to French companies, the French government, via its head of state, has said it does not recognise the Niger authorities,” he explained.
“Does it seem possible in this case that we, the State of Niger, accept that French companies continue to exploit our natural resources?”
This comment highlights the growing distance between Niger and France, as the military junta questions whether it can continue to allow French firms to operate in the country under these new circumstances.
In addition to uranium, Niger holds vast reserves of other natural resources, which could be an attractive prospect for foreign companies.
The country is the world’s seventh-largest uranium producer, and the Imouraren uranium mine, one of the largest untapped reserves globally, has been a point of contention between Niger and Orano.
Earlier this year, Niger’s government withdrew Orano’s permit for the Imouraren deposit, a move that the company criticized.
Orano said the action, along with the closure of Niger’s border with Benin, made it impossible to continue operations at the mine.
However, the Niger government has defended its decision, citing national security concerns, especially in light of the ongoing instability in the region.
“We need to ensure that our borders and resources are secure,” said Abarchi, who emphasized that security was a primary concern in the country’s decision-making process.
This decision has raised eyebrows in the West, where France and other European nations have expressed concern about the political instability in Niger and its potential to spread throughout the Sahel region.
The situation in Niger is part of a larger trend in West Africa, where several countries have sought to distance themselves from former colonial powers, particularly France, and forge new alliances with other global players, such as Russia and China.
This shift is not isolated to Niger; countries like Mali and Burkina Faso, also experiencing political instability, have moved away from French influence and increasingly looked to Russia for support.
In response to growing anti-French sentiment, Russia has positioned itself as an alternative partner, offering military and economic cooperation.
Russia’s interest in Niger’s uranium resources comes as the country seeks to expand its footprint in Africa, particularly in resource-rich countries where Western powers have traditionally held sway.
Abarchi’s comments signal a broader strategic pivot for Niger, which now seems willing to explore new avenues for its natural resources, especially uranium, which is crucial for the global energy market.
The move toward Russian companies is not just a political shift but also an economic necessity, given the declining investment from traditional Western partners.
“We are ready to open new partnerships that align with the interests of the Nigerien people,” Abarchi added.
As Niger navigates its uncertain political and economic future, the military government’s attempts to attract Russian investment reflect the changing dynamics in the region.
The country’s uranium deposits, once a source of tension between Niger and France, may now become a key asset for Russia’s expanding influence in Africa.
With France pulling back and new partners like Russia stepping forward, Niger is setting the stage for a dramatic transformation in its mining sector.
It remains to be seen how these new alliances will shape the future of Niger and its role in the global uranium market.
In the meantime, the military junta is pushing ahead with plans to overhaul the country’s foreign mining regulations.
The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Russian companies can fill the void left by the French, and how this shift will affect Niger’s relationship with its traditional partners in Europe and beyond.
For now, Niger’s leaders seem determined to chart their own course, free from the influence of their former colonial rulers.
As Abarchi said, “We are looking for new opportunities, and we are not afraid to explore them.”
