Niger military leaders to nationalise uranium firm Somaïr

The Military Junta of Niger claims that it will nationalize the majority of the local Uranium company belonging to French people in the last consecutive climbing between the two countries.

Somaïr is exploited by the French Société de fuel nuclear Orano, which Niger accuses of several “irresponsible acts”.

Since his takeover in 2023, the military leaders of Niger have declared that they wanted to keep a more local control of the mineral wealth of the country and have moved away from France, the former colonial power, approaching Russia.

Niger is the world’s seventh producer of uranium and has the highest ores in Africa.

“This nationalization will allow a healthier and more sustainable management of the company and, therefore, an optimal enjoyment of the richness of mining resources by the Nigerians,” the junta said in a press release.

Orano has not yet commented.

The company, which has been operating in Niger for decades, has a 63% participation in Somaïr, but last year, the military authorities seized the operational control of the company.

According to the reuters news agency, Orano, which belongs to the French state, launched legal action against Niger for its actions.

Niger reached its independence from France in 1960 and the old colonial power succeeded in obtaining exclusive access to the uranium supply of Niger thanks to various agreements.

Analysts say that this has been considered by many to Niger as a symbol of the country’s continuing domination by France.

However, they also note that any uncertainty about the future of the mining sector could threaten hundreds of jobs, as well as export profits.

Earlier this week, neighboring Mali announced that it was building a gold refinery in partnership with a Russian conglomerate.

Like Niger, Mali is under military control and says that it wants to assert more economic control of its mineral richness, while reducing links with France and the West.