Russia Moves to Displace France in Uranium-Rich Niger with Nuclear Power Proposal

For decades, Niger’s uranium has lit up French homes while Niamey itself was left in the dark. Today, that paradox is at the heart of a geopolitical shake-up: Russia is offering to build a nuclear power plant in Niger, signaling its intent to challenge France’s historic dominance in the uranium-rich nation and reshape the energy politics of the Sahel.

Niger, which produces about 4% of the world’s uranium, has long been a crucial supplier to France’s nuclear industry. French giant Orano (formerly Areva) has operated Nigerien mines since the 1970s, supplying uranium that powers French reactors and provides nearly three-quarters of France’s electricity. But in Niamey, electricity remains scarce—an irony that has fueled resentment for years.

Now, amid a broader rupture with Paris, Niger’s military-led government is turning eastward. Moscow, already cultivating new partnerships in Mali and Burkina Faso, has signed an agreement with Niger to deepen cooperation on civil nuclear energy. Under the deal, Russia’s state-owned Rosatom would help develop nuclear infrastructure, from power plants and research reactors to medical applications and training programs for local specialists.