Niger’s junta-led government has announced plans to nationalise the Somair uranium mine, a joint venture currently operated by French nuclear fuel company Orano.

The announcement was made Thursday in an official statement broadcast on national television, signaling a serious escalation in already strained relations between Niger and France, according to Reuters.

“Faced with this irresponsible, illegal, and unfair behaviour by Orano, a company owned by the French state, a state openly hostile toward Niger since July 26, 2023 … the government of Niger has decided, in full sovereignty, to nationalise Somair,” the statement declared.

The Nigerien government cited multiple grievances in its decision, notably the expiration of the most recent mining agreement in December 2023.

Orano, which owns a 63% stake in the venture, has reportedly been shut out of Somair’s operations since the country’s military leaders took control of the mine.

The remaining 37% stake is held by Niger’s state-run mining company, Sopamin.

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This latest move reflects a broader regional trend, with Niger joining fellow West African nations Mali and Burkina Faso in a push to reclaim national control over strategic natural resources.

The military-led governments in these countries have increasingly rejected foreign dominance in their extractive industries and moved to assert state ownership.

Burkina Faso, in a similar vein, recently completed the transfer of five gold assets to its state-owned mining firm.

The assets included two operational gold mines and three exploration licenses previously held by subsidiaries of London-listed Endeavour Mining and Lilium.

The specific assets handed over were Wahgnion Gold SA, SEMAFO Boungou SA, Ressources Ferké SARL, Gryphon Minerals Burkina Faso SARL, and Lilium Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL.

Niger’s decision to nationalise Somair underscores a growing shift in resource governance across West Africa, where military regimes are seeking greater control over key sectors in defiance of long-standing partnerships with foreign firms.

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