Niger – Russia: a strategic nuclear partnership on the horizon
Niamey/Moscow, September 11, 2025 – Niger has announced plans to build two nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 2,000 megawatts in collaboration with the Russian state-owned company Rosatom. The announcement was made by Niger’s Minister of Mines, Ousmane Abarchi, during a nuclear forum held in Moscow.
The minister also expressed his country’s intention to expand this partnership to the exploitation of its significant uranium reserves. “Let us develop our uranium deposits together,” he declared, calling for closer cooperation with Russia in this strategic sector.
Rosatom’s Director General, Alexey Likhachev, described the proposal as “extremely interesting,” highlighting the growing importance of Russia–Africa cooperation in the energy sector.
Niger, already ranked as the world’s eighth-largest uranium producer in 2024, now aims to take a new step by processing this resource locally. The nuclear power plant projects would be carried out under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), ensuring compliance with international standards.
“Yes, we have great ambitions, but they are vital not only for Niger, but also for the entire African continent,” Mr. Abarchi stated.
So far, South Africa remains the only country on the continent with an operational nuclear power plant. However, several other African nations have launched similar projects, including Egypt, where reactors are under construction, as well as Ghana, Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Sudan.
With this project, Niger seeks to position itself as a key player in Africa’s energy transition while strengthening its strategic ties with Moscow.
