Niger is reclaiming control over its natural resources by granting mining permits to two local companies, the Research and Exploitation Mineral Company (Comirex SA) and Aïr Mining Company (Cominair SA).
Both are public-private partnerships, with the government owning 40 per cent of Comirex SA and 25 per cent of Cominair SA.
In June 2024, Niger nationalised the Imouraren and Somaїr uranium mines upon revoking the licence of French-state-owned mining giant Orano.
Niger was the world’s seventh-largest supplier of uranium and France’s second-largest supplier in 2022. On average, 70 per cent of France’s yearly electricity supply comes from uranium-derived nuclear energy. Meanwhile, under 20 per cent of Niger’s population has access to electricity, making it one of the least electrified countries worldwide. As nationalisation just occurred in 2024, we have yet to see its impact on Niger, France and the world.
Neighbouring Burkina Faso has nationalised multiple gold mines in recent years and next-door Mali has been battling foreign gold mining companies to reclaim a greater share of the profits.
Together, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation established on 6 July 2024 that is delinking from neo-colonialism and laying down the planks to ensure their sovereignty. The AES aims to create a federated state without colonial borders.
Sources:
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=NE
https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/france