Niger rejects lease on mining companies and a British oil firm

Niger revoked grants on three gold mining companies and discontinued the contract of a UK oil firm, as reported by AfricaNews with AFP on 6th March.

The concessions of Comini, Afrior and Economie to mine the terrain had been permitted between 2017 and 2020. Niger’s officials announced that these companies had not ‘honoured’ their commitments, notably to pay taxes, provide annual technical and financial reports, and respect environmental regulations.

Moreover, the government had also rejected a request by the UK firm Savannah Energy to extend its exploration and drilling licence. The government argued that the firm had failed to comply with the terms of an output sharing contract covering four oil blocks in the Agadem Rift Basin.

Niger is one of West Africa’s key producers of uranium, gold and oil, resources that have historically attracted foreign companies but generated persistent domestic debate over revenue distribution and national benefit. The decision forms part of a wider policy under Niger’s military authorities who have sought to increase state control over the country’s strategic resources since seizing power in a 2023 coup.

According to the junta, previous dealings with foreign operators have allowed them to extract wealth from the country without delivering sufficient economic benefits to local communities or the national treasury. As a result, the government has been keen to secure complete autonomy and economic control of its raw commodities.

On December 2024, the government seized control of a local uranium mine, which was majority owned by the French company, Orano. Then, by June 2025, Niger had formally nationalised it. The junta has also sought to distance itself from the outside influence of western powers, particularly France.

Despite gaining independence from France in 1960, experts say that France’s exclusive access to Niger’s uranium supply represents the continued domination France has over Niger. While critics argue that such contract cancellations might discourage any future investment, the Nigerien state remains steadfast in their objectives to bolster national sovereignty and national revenues.

AfricaNews with AFP, Business Insider, Maghrebi.org