Russia has raised the possibility of building a nuclear power plant in Niger, signaling its intention to expand influence in the uranium-rich Sahel state as relations between Niamey and France deteriorate.
The proposal, discussed under a cooperation agreement between Nigerien authorities and Russia’s state energy corporation Rosatom, includes potential projects in nuclear power generation, medical applications, and training local specialists. If realized, this would be West Africa’s first nuclear power project.
For decades, French nuclear group Orano dominated uranium mining in Niger, supplying fuel for France’s energy sector. However, the military government nationalized Orano’s operations in June, ending decades of French dominance and leaving open the possibility of Russian involvement in sites such as the vast Imouraren deposit, one of the world’s largest untapped uranium reserves.
Niger currently imports most of its electricity and relies on coal-fired plants and supplies from Nigeria. Supporters of the Russian proposal argue that it offers a chance to develop local energy independence, while critics point to the technical, financial, and security challenges of constructing a nuclear plant in a region plagued by instability and armed groups.
Analysts note that Moscow’s move is as much geopolitical as economic, reflecting a broader strategy to displace Western influence in the Sahel. With anti-French sentiment running high since the 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, Russia’s outreach has been received positively by sections of the Nigerien leadership.
Still, whether Niger’s nuclear ambitions can be achieved remains uncertain. Projects of this scale require vast capital investment, years of construction, and secure operating conditions. For now, Russia’s proposal may be more symbolic than practical, but it underscores a shifting balance of power in Niger’s strategic resource sector.