Niger invites Russian companies to exploit its natural resources

Niger opens its doors to Russian companies for the exploration of its natural wealth, marking a strategic shift as tensions persist with French companies, particularly over uranium.

Share:

Niger has officially invited Russian companies to invest in the exploration and exploitation of its natural resources, announced Ousmane Abarchi, Niger’s Minister of Mines, in an interview with the Russian state agency Ria Novosti. This initiative comes amid tense relations with Western actors, particularly France.

According to the minister, several Russian companies have already expressed interest in intervening in various extraction sectors, extending beyond uranium. “We have invited them to come to Niger within this framework,” he stated, emphasizing that this cooperation could diversify the country’s economic partnerships.

A conflict with French companies

Relations between Niger and French companies, particularly Orano, a uranium specialist, have been deteriorating for several months. Niamey has expressed dissatisfaction with Orano’s suspension of production activities at the end of October. This decision followed the Nigerien government’s withdrawal of the exploitation permit for the Imouraren site, one of the largest uranium deposits in the world, in June.

Ousmane Abarchi criticized France and its companies’ positions: “Does it seem conceivable to you that we, the State of Niger, would accept that French companies continue to exploit our natural resources under such circumstances?”

A new geopolitical orientation

Since the military coup in July 2023, Niger has adopted a more assertive stance on national sovereignty, distancing itself from the West in favor of new alliances. The current authorities have reiterated their intention to review the terms of resource exploitation by foreign companies.

Russia is emerging as one of Niger’s preferred partners in this new strategy. In parallel, discussions are also underway with Iran, reflecting a desire to diversify foreign investments.

An intricate economic and security context

Economic tensions over natural resource exploitation are compounded by a delicate security situation. The closure of Niger’s border with Benin, justified by security concerns, further complicates uranium exports, a major issue for the country.

Facing these challenges, the Nigerien government aims to ensure greater control over its resources while opening the door to new actors who can contribute to its economic and energy development.

Bahrain has concluded a civil nuclear agreement with the United States and formalised a commitment of $17bn in public investments in the US market, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kairos Power has installed the vessel for its third test prototype in Oak Ridge, aiming to validate manufacturing methods for its future Hermes reactor supported by the US Department of Energy.
London and Prague formalise a strategic partnership to develop the nuclear sector, focusing on small modular reactors and industrial cooperation on supply chains.
Experts have broadly approved France’s Cigéo deep nuclear waste repository project, highlighting technical uncertainties that demand stronger guarantees for long-term safety.
Uzbekistan advances its nuclear project by signing a protocol with Hungary for the supply and local assembly of dry cooling systems, expanding its industrial partnerships in the region.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is asking the European Commission to review its $49bn investment to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant, a step required under the Euratom Treaty before any construction permit can be issued.
The International Atomic Energy Agency mission completed on July 11 warns that the National Nuclear Safety Administration must hire staff to oversee a fleet of 59 reactors in operation and 32 more under construction.
Energoatom signed strategic agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, aiming to establish nuclear fuel production and small modular reactor capabilities in the country.
Tehran agrees to reopen its nuclear facilities to the IAEA, aiming to resume negotiations with Washington, while Moscow pushes for a “zero enrichment” agreement without getting involved in supervision.
TerraPower has selected three new American suppliers for its advanced Natrium nuclear reactor, confirming progress on the project located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, intended to replace a retiring coal-fired power plant.
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.