Niger woos Russian firms to exploit uranium, other resources amid split from France

The Niger Republic is looking up to Russian firms for investment in its uranium and other natural resources production as the Sahel nation furthers severe ties with former colonial master France.

The development was revealed by Mining Minister Ousmane Abarchi who spoke with Russia’s Ria Novosti press agency in an interview on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

This comes a month after French nuclear group, Orano halted uranium exploration in Niger as relations with the military junta that seized power from Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023 further capitulates.

“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.

“With regards to French companies, the French government, via its head of state, has said it does not recognise the Niger authorities.

“Does it seem possible in this case that we, the State of Niger, accept that French companies continue to exploit our natural resources?”

Niger, others downgrade ties with France

Abarchi’s comments come amid the ongoing downgrade of historical ties with France by several nations in the Sahel who are now turning instead towards Russia and other power blocs for strategic partnership.

Niger’s military junta has pledged to revamp rules regulating the mining of raw materials by foreign companies in what is the world’s seventh-largest uranium producer.

In June, Orano condemned the withdrawal of the permit for Imouraren, one of the largest uranium deposits in the world by the junta.

The French firm also denounced the impossibility of exporting the raw materials since Niger’s border with the Benin Republic was closed for what Niamey says are security reasons.

Niamey has not made a secret of its intention to break away from the influence Paris had on it, forming a new security and economic alliance with Sahel neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso.

The three nations formed a new confederate to deepen economic and military collaboration following their ouster from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, had accused France of failing to provide enough support for anti-jihadist efforts in the region.