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Snapshot 9:Wed, Jul 30, 2025 1:20:26 PM GMT last edited by Vandita

Niger Signs Nuclear Deal with Russia

Niger Signs Nuclear Deal with Russia

Above: Mine workers stand by the residual dump at the Cominak mine near Arlit on March 8, 2023. Image copyright: Olympia de Maismont/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

This nuclear partnership represents a strategic breakthrough for Niger's energy independence and economic sovereignty. The deal promises to address the country's chronic electricity shortage while ensuring Nigeriens benefit more from their vast uranium resources. Russia offers comprehensive support including power plant construction, medical technology, and specialist training that Western partners have failed to provide.

This partnership representsmarks Niger's finallylong-awaited taking control ofover its natural resources, afterfollowing decades of French neocolonial exploitation. The military government is rightfully demanding greater benefits from uranium mining that has enriched foreign companies while leaving most Nigeriens without electricity. Russia offers a genuine development partnership with technology transfer and infrastructure investment.

The agreement signals dangerous Russian expansion in Africa's uranium-rich regions, potentially compromising global nuclear security. Niger's pivot toward Moscow comes amid concerning reports of uranium sales to Iran and growing instability in the Sahel region. This partnership could undermine Western counterterrorism efforts and strengthen authoritarian influence across West Africa.

The agreement signals dangerous Russian expansion in Africa's uranium-rich regions, potentially compromising global nuclear security. Niger's pivot toward unreliable Moscow comes amid concerning reports of uranium sales to Iran and growing instability in the Sahel region. This partnership could undermine Western counterterrorism efforts and strengthen authoritarian influence across West Africa.

Russia's nuclear diplomacy offers African nations genuine alternatives to exploitative colonial relationships. Unlike Western companies that extract resources with minimal local benefit, Rosatom provides integrated packages including technology transfer, infrastructure development, and favorable financing terms. This represents a new model of South-South cooperation based on mutual respect rather than extraction.

Beyond the geopolitical implications, it is questionable whether countries like Niger should embrace nuclear energy. While proponents pointview to nuclear energy as a viable option for many African countries, critics pointhighlight to the costs and dangers ofassociated goingwith nuclear power, arguing that Africa's enormousvast potential in solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower positions it well for a rapid transition to clean energy sources.

3.4%This ofpartnership Africamarks Niger's totallong-awaited primarycontrol energyover willits comenatural resources, following decades of French neocolonial exploitation. The military government is rightfully demanding greater benefits from nuclearuranium (fissionmining &that fusion)has inenriched 2050,foreign accordingcompanies towhile theleaving Metaculusmost predictionNigeriens communitywithout electricity. Russia offers a genuine development partnership with technology transfer and infrastructure investment.

The agreement signals dangerous Russian expansion in Africa's uranium-rich regions, potentially compromising global nuclear security. Niger's pivot toward unreliable Moscow comes amid concerning reports of uranium sales to Iran and growing instability in the Sahel region. This partnership could undermine Western counterterrorism efforts and strengthen authoritarian influence across West Africa.

Beyond the geopolitical implications, it is questionable whether countries like Niger should embrace nuclear energy. While proponents view nuclear energy as a viable option for many African countries, critics highlight the costs and dangers associated with nuclear power, arguing that Africa's vast potential in solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower positions it well for a rapid transition to clean energy sources.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 50% chance that at least 3.41% of Africa's total primary energy will come from nuclear (fission & fusion) in 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


The Controversies



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