.Niger breaks decades-long French grip, moves to trade uranium directly on global market.

The move, broadcast on state television Télé Sahel, signals a historic rupture with France and accelerates Niamey’s bid to reclaim full sovereignty over one of the world’s most strategic minerals.

General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the junta, said Niger would henceforth exercise its “legitimate right” to sell its uranium “to whoever wants to buy it… in complete independence.” The statement reflects a dramatic shift in political alignment since the 2023 coup, with the regime sidelining Western partners and courting new allies such as Russia and Iran.

For more than 50 years, Orano, 90% owned by the French state controlled the backbone of Niger’s uranium industry through subsidiaries Somaïr, Cominak and Imouraren.

The latter is home to one of the world’s largest known deposits, estimated at 200,000 tonnes. Uranium from these mines has been central to powering Europe’s nuclear reactors; in 2022, Niger supplied roughly a quarter of the EU’s natural uranium imports.

But relations ruptured after the coup. Orano lost operational control of its Nigerien assets in December 2024 and saw Somaïr nationalised by decree in June.

Niger’s military rulers took control of the Somaïr mine in June after months of blocked exports and a raid on Orano’s Niamey offices, sharply escalating tensions with the French state-owned nuclear company. The junta, which seized power in 2023, defended its nationalisation of the site by accusing Orano of taking 86.3% of uranium output since 1971 despite holding only a 63% stake.

But in September, the World Bank’s arbitration court pushed back. The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) ordered Niger to halt all sales or transfers of uranium from Somaïr including dealings with third parties following Orano’s complaint.

Source: Africabusinessinsider