Wayne Lumbasi
France has expressed strong concern over reports that Niger plans to sell about 1,000 metric tons of uranium, valued at roughly 170 million US dollars, to Russia’s state nuclear agency, Rosatom.
The potential agreement marks a major shift in Niger’s international alliances and threatens France’s long established influence in the region.
The uranium stockpile, held in the northern town of Arlit, was previously managed by the French company Orano before Niger’s military authorities nationalized the site earlier this year. French officials warn that the transfer could weaken the country’s access to uranium supplies, which are crucial for France’s network of nuclear power plants.
Reports indicate that the material may be transported by convoy through Burkina Faso and Togo for shipment to Russia. The planned route passes through areas affected by conflict, raising security and safety concerns. France has also cautioned that the transaction could violate an international ruling that restricts the sale or movement of uranium from the seized Orano facilities.
For Niger’s leadership, the deal reflects an effort to assert sovereignty and strengthen new partnerships following the 2023 coup. The military government expelled French forces, suspended security agreements with Paris, and sought closer ties with Moscow in both economic and defense matters.
If confirmed, the uranium agreement would deepen the ongoing realignment in the Sahel, where France’s role has steadily declined. It also highlights the competition for Africa’s natural resources, as global powers seek access to strategic minerals in the region.
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