France Alarmed as Niger Plans to Sell 1,000 Tons of Uranium to Russia

France has expressed strong concern over Niger’s reported plan to sell 1,000 metric tons of uranium—valued at roughly $170 million—to Russia, warning that the deal could carry serious geopolitical and security implications for both Africa and Europe.

The uranium in question is believed to come from the Arlit mine in northern Niger, one of the country’s richest deposits and a site historically dominated by French nuclear firm Orano (formerly Areva). The French company had operated in Niger for more than five decades before the July 2023 military coup, which saw the country’s new junta seize control of foreign mining assets, ending a long era of French dominance in the West African nation’s uranium sector.

A Strategic Resource at the Heart of a Diplomatic Rift

For decades, Niger has been a cornerstone of France’s nuclear energy supply chain, providing up to 15 percent of the uranium used in French nuclear reactors. France, which relies on nuclear energy for over 70 percent of its electricity, views Niger’s uranium as a key pillar of its energy independence.

However, since the 2023 coup, relations between Paris and Niamey have sharply deteriorated. The military regime expelled French troops, cut defense ties, and aligned more closely with Russia and the African Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — a bloc formed by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso that is seeking to reduce Western influence in the region.

Reports now suggest that Niger’s junta is in advanced talks with Russia’s state-owned nuclear company, Rosatom, to sell uranium directly to Moscow. The deal, if confirmed, would represent a major diplomatic and economic setback for France.

France Warns of Geopolitical Consequences

French officials have described the move as “deeply concerning”, citing both strategic and security risks.

“This transaction, if it proceeds, could strengthen Russia’s influence in Africa’s strategic resource markets and undermine regional stability,” a French diplomatic source told Le Monde.

France’s Foreign Ministry has reportedly lodged a formal query with Niger’s authorities, asking for clarification on the alleged deal and warning that such an arrangement could violate existing contractual and international commitments regarding uranium exports.

Security experts in Paris say the sale would not only weaken France’s access to a vital energy resource but also bolster Russia’s role in the global uranium trade—at a time when Moscow is facing sanctions and seeking alternative export and resource partnerships across Africa.

Niger Asserts Its Sovereignty

Niger’s government has dismissed French criticism, saying that “Africa will decide for itself how to manage its own resources.”

An official statement from Niamey declared:

“The era of external control over Niger’s minerals is over. Our resources will serve Nigeriens first and foremost, and we will choose our partners freely.”

Since taking power, the junta has emphasized “economic independence” and accused Western powers, particularly France, of exploiting Africa’s mineral wealth under unequal agreements.

In June 2024, the regime nationalized the Arlit uranium operations, revoking Orano’s licenses and asserting full control over the mines. Orano has since launched international arbitration proceedings, claiming the loss of roughly 1,500 metric tons of uranium stockpiled at its former sites.

Russia’s Expanding Role in Africa’s Resource Sector

For Russia, the reported deal fits into a broader strategy of expanding its economic and military footprint in Africa. Through Rosatom, Moscow has been actively pursuing uranium and energy projects across the continent, including in Sudan, Zambia, and South Africa.

Analysts see the Niger deal as part of this larger trend.

“Russia is using resource diplomacy to build influence where Western powers are retreating,” said Dr. Elena Vassilev, an energy analyst at the European Institute for Security Studies.
“By securing access to uranium, Moscow not only strengthens its nuclear sector but also gains leverage in international energy markets.”

If completed, the sale would mark a significant symbolic shift: a former French colony supplying uranium to Russia, France’s strategic rival and one of the world’s major nuclear powers.

Security and Legal Challenges

The transport and export logistics of such a uranium shipment pose major challenges. The proposed route—reportedly through Burkina Faso and Togo—crosses regions plagued by militant activity and political instability. Western intelligence agencies have warned of risks associated with moving radioactive materials across unsecured territory.

Moreover, France’s Orano continues to assert ownership over part of the uranium stockpile, warning that any sale could breach international arbitration laws. “These materials remain under legal dispute,” the company said in a recent statement. “Their sale or transfer would be subject to international legal consequences.”

Africa’s Push for Resource Independence

Many African commentators, however, have criticized France’s reaction, arguing that Niger and other nations have every right to decide how to utilize their resources.

“Africa will do what it wishes with its minerals. It is none of France’s business,” a Nigerien political commentator wrote in Sahel Tribune.

This sentiment reflects a growing push across the Sahel for economic sovereignty and a rejection of what many view as neo-colonial economic structures. Countries like Mali and Burkina Faso have made similar moves, canceling or renegotiating long-standing agreements with Western companies.

Implications Beyond Africa

The reported Niger-Russia uranium agreement could have broader international implications. For Europe, it raises new questions about energy security as the continent seeks to reduce dependence on Russian resources. For the West, it marks another diplomatic setback in Africa, where Russia and China continue to expand influence through resource deals and military cooperation.

For Niger, the deal represents both opportunity and risk — a chance to assert sovereignty and gain new revenue, but also a potential confrontation with Western allies and international legal systems.

France’s alarm over Niger’s uranium deal with Russia underscores a deepening realignment in Africa’s geopolitical landscape. Once seen as a reliable French partner, Niger is now emerging as a key player in Moscow’s resource diplomacy.

As the details of the reported transaction continue to unfold, the dispute reflects a larger truth: Africa’s strategic resources are becoming the new front line in global power competition, where sovereignty, security, and economics are increasingly intertwined.