Civil nuclear power: Russia and Niger sign strategic agreement on uranium
Niamey, July 28, 2025 — Niger and the Russian Federation have taken a new step in their cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding in the field of civil nuclear energy and uranium exploitation. The announcement was made following a meeting between Nigerien President General Abdourahamane Tiani and a high-level Russian delegation led by Energy Minister Sergei Isixiles.
This visit marks Mr. Isixiles’ first official mission to Niger as chairman of the Russian side of the joint intergovernmental commission with the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). According to him, Russia aims to build a partnership “based on mutual trust, respect, and shared development”.
The signed memorandum covers the creation of a comprehensive system for the exploitation of uranium for civilian purposes. It also includes the training of Nigerien professionals in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, health, and education. Future engineers will follow an academic path split between Nigerien institutions and Russian universities.
“We have identified numerous opportunities here in Niger. Our teams are already working on how to best harness this potential,” said the Russian minister, who was accompanied by a large delegation of representatives from Russian companies.
President Tiani announced that he will soon appoint the Nigerien co-chair of the intergovernmental commission to ensure regular and structured monitoring of the cooperation.
The meeting was attended by several members of the Nigerien government, including the ministers of Defense, Mines, and Energy, as well as senior officials from the Presidency and the National Atomic Energy Authority (HANEA).
