4 questions to know the showdown between Niamey and the French Orano | EUROtoday

On Jun 21, 2025

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DIn the previous few weeks, the delicate sector of West African uranium is shaken by a shock wave from Niger. At the center of the storm: the choice of the Niamey army authorities to nationalize Somaïr, an emblematic mine exploited for greater than fifty years by the French group Orano, inheritor to Areva. This gesture is a part of an escalation of tensions between Niamey and Paris, already weakened by the army coup of July 2023 and the fast deterioration of bilateral relations.

What occurred to somaïr?

The Société des Mines de l’Air (Somaïr), positioned in Arlit in northern Niger, is a historic pillar of the Nigerian financial system. Operated since 1971, it has produced round 2,500 tonnes of uranium per 12 months, or nearly 10 % of world manufacturing. Orano holds 63.4 % of the shares there, whereas the Nigerian state has 36.6 %. This ore constitutes nearly 70 % of the nation’s mining exports, which pulls round 10 % of its GDP from this useful resource.

The junta who took energy by overthrowing President Bazoum accuses the French group of getting misguided this partnership, by grabbing a disproportionate share of earnings and braking native investments. According to an official Nigerian press launch, “Orano stopped production unilaterally, evacuated his expatriates and cut access to the computer systems of the mine, jeopardizing the local economy”. The choice to nationalize Somaïr is thus offered as a “measure of necessary sovereignty”.

Why now?

The context has been explosive for the reason that coup d’etat of July 2023, which introduced a army junta firmly against French affect within the area in energy. “This nationalization is part of a clear desire to break with the old dependence system”, analyzes in The New York Times Emmanuel Dupont, professional in African sources. The break with Orano is symptomatic of geopolitical shift in West Africa.

According to Reutersthe suspension of actions by Orano led to a 15 % drop in Niger’s mining earnings within the first quarter of 2025, extra weakening an financial system already in problem, with an inflation estimated at 12 %. In addition, the Arlit area, the place the mine is established, primarily is determined by the earnings generated by uranium.

What does Orano say?

Orano denounces an “illegal and unjustified nationalization”, and introduced his intention to deliver the case to worldwide courts. The group requires compensation as much as 350 million euros for working loss and materials injury. “This type of unilateral action affects investment safety in Africa,” warns in Reuters Jean-Marc Leroux, spokesperson for Orano.

A delicate level is the inventory of uranium valued at round 250 million euros, which Niamey claims as an integral a part of nationalization. This strategic reserve feeds debates on mastery of pure sources in a context the place international demand for uranium, particularly for nuclear power manufacturing, is rising sharply.

And now ?

To uncover

The kangaroo of the day

Answer

Niger shows its need to align itself with extra sovereign administration fashions, like its Malian and Burkinabè neighbors. For the Nigerien journalist Abdoul Karim Issoufou, in The Sahel : “The current government intends to break the chains of dependence, but must ensure a stable framework to attract new partners, otherwise the economic benefits will be compromised”.

The huge query stays to know which markets Niger will now flip to promote its uranium. Russia, China, but additionally Gulf nations like Iran are talked about as doable new companions. These selections can have a serious affect on regional geopolitical stability.

https://www.lepoint.fr/afrique/4-questions-pour-comprendre-le-bras-de-fer-entre-niamey-et-le-francais-orano-21-06-2025-2592587_3826.php