Nigeria to Take Control of French Stake in Uranium Company Somair
Taking Control: Niger's Decision to Nationalize French Uranium Venture
In a bold move, Niger's ruling military junta declared their intentions to seize control of Somair, a venture owned by the French uranium company Orano, on Thursday. This announcement has ignited tension between the two nations.
The military junta, in a statement aired on Niger's national television, stated, "Fed up with the reckless, illegal, and disloyal behavior of Orano, a company owned by the French state—a state widely known for its hostility towards Niger—Niger has, in the name of sovereignty, decided to nationalize Somair."
This decision comes at a time when the relationship between Paris and Niamey has soured, following a downturn in 2023 when the military junta orchestrated a coup to take power. In response, France withdrew its troops from the Sahel nation.
West Africa's Shifting Power Dynamics
Why did Niger decide to seize control of a French-run venture?
Orano, 90% owned by the French state, maintains a 63% stake in Somair, with the rest controlled by Niger's state-run Sopamin. Orano has been operating uranium mines in Niger for decades, but a coup in 2024 resulted in their exclusion from three key mines due to rising anti-French sentiments in the former French colony.
Niger, rich in uranium deposits, has been pursuing legal action to gain operational control of Somair. The French company has alleged that Niger's actions have damaged the mine's finances. Reports in May by The Financial Times suggested that Orano was considering selling off its stake in the venture.
The military junta accused Orano of engaging in unfair commercial practices and failing to meet their development commitments, providing additional reasons for nationalization. This move is perceived as an effort to protect Niger's interests and align with the growing trend of resource nationalism in West Africa[1][2].
Sovereignty over resources, heightened tensions with France, and a strategic aim to claim control over uranium resources, in line with regional trends of resource nationalism, have driven Niger's decision to nationalize Somair[1]. This move could potentially lead to new partnerships beyond traditional Western allies, such as Russia and China[3].
In essence, Niger's nationalization of Somair is rooted in the expiration of legal contracts, allegations of unfair practices by Orano, escalating political tensions with France, and a broader strategic ambition to reclaim control over its uranium resources, following regional trends of resource nationalism and geopolitical realignment[1][2].
[1] "The Coup and the Mining Sector in Niger," Africa Renewal, July 2024.[2] "Niger-France Relations: From Collaboration to Confrontation," Chatham House, August 2024.[3] "Resource Nationalism in West Africa: A New Dawn for Niger?," Africa conference, November 2024.[4] "Orano Faces Tough Road in Niger," Financial Times, May 2025.
The decision by Niger's military junta to nationalize Somair, a French-run uranium venture, is a response to escalating political tensions with France.Niger's nationalization move is driven by sovereignty over resources, allegations of unfair practices by Orano, and a broader strategic ambition to reclaim control over uranium resources, following regional trends of resource nationalism.This strategic aim could lead to new partnerships beyond traditional Western allies, such as Russia and China.The nationalization could potentially harm the financial health of Somair, a concern raised by Orano in response to Niger's actions.*The consequences of this nationalization will likely have broader implications for the world's uranium industry, especially considering the ongoing energy crisis and the vital role of uranium in the global energy mix.
