Niger’s Uranium Dispute with France Opens Potential $40 Million Deal for Romania
Romania could be positioning itself to become a new major player in Niger’s uranium trade after state-controlled nuclear energy company Nuclearelectrica SA reportedly opened negotiations to acquire about 300 tonnes of uranium concentrate from stockpiles at the centre of a bitter dispute between Niger and French nuclear giant Orano SA.
The development could mark a significant shift in the ownership and destination of one of Niger’s most strategically important natural resources, while further weakening France’s longstanding influence over the country’s uranium industry.
According to documents obtained by African media outlets and reported by Jeune Afrique in collaboration with MDMG Sahel, Nuclearelectrica has been exploring the possibility of purchasing approximately 300 tonnes of uranium concentrate currently held in Niger.
The proposed volume represents roughly one-third of a stockpile exceeding 1,000 tonnes that has reportedly been stored near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey since late 2025.
The uranium stockpile has become a major flashpoint in the increasingly strained relationship between Niger’s military government and Orano, the French state-controlled nuclear fuel company that has operated in the country for decades.
A uranium stockpile at the heart of a growing dispute
Niger is one of Africa’s most important uranium-producing countries, and its uranium industry has historically been closely linked to France’s nuclear energy sector.
For decades, Orano has maintained a significant presence in Niger through its involvement in the Société des Mines de l’Aïr, commonly known as Somaïr, one of the country’s major uranium mining operations. However, relations between the company and Niger deteriorated sharply following the military takeover in July 2023.
The Nigerien authorities accused Orano of benefiting disproportionately from the country’s uranium resources and questioned the structure of the partnership. According to Niger’s government, Orano had accounted for approximately 86.3% of Somaïr’s total production since 1971 despite holding a 63% ownership stake.
The dispute escalated in 2025 after Niger’s authorities took control of the Somaïr operation following months of tensions, delayed uranium exports and a raid on Orano’s offices in Niamey.
Niger subsequently announced plans to nationalise the uranium joint venture, accusing Orano of acting against the country’s interests.
In a statement, the Nigerien government described the French company’s conduct as “irresponsible, illegal, and unfair” and said nationalisation was necessary to protect Niger’s sovereignty over its natural resources.
Orano, meanwhile, warned that the collapse of its operations in Niger could push the Somaïr joint venture towards bankruptcy.
Security concerns surrounding the uranium
The dispute has unfolded against a backdrop of heightened security concerns. In June, residents in Niamey reported hearing gunshots close to the city’s international airport, with eyewitnesses indicating that the sounds appeared to come from the airport’s main entrance. The incident was reportedly the second security breach involving the airport in 2026.
In January, suspected terrorists also attacked the airport, although the exact motive was not officially established. Reports subsequently linked the area to the storage of uranium associated with Orano’s operations.
The location of the uranium stockpile near the airport has therefore added another layer of sensitivity to an already complicated dispute involving strategic minerals, national sovereignty, foreign investment and regional security.
Romania enters the picture
Against this backdrop, Romania appears to have emerged as a potential new buyer of Nigerien uranium. Nuclearelectrica SA, Romania’s semi-state-controlled nuclear energy company, reportedly began discussions with Nigerien authorities following a delegation’s visit to Niamey in April 2026.
According to documents cited in the reports, Nuclearelectrica Chief Executive Officer Cosmin Ghita met with representatives of the Nigerien government as well as officials from the Niger Mining Heritage Company, known as Sopamin, which now controls a significant portion of the assets previously associated with Somaïr. On April 13, Ghita reportedly communicated the Romanian company’s interest in acquiring uranium from Niger.
A week later, Niger’s Minister of Mines, Colonel Abarchi Ousmane, responded by indicating that the country wanted to diversify its international partners and explore opportunities to supply uranium to Romania and other European markets. The minister subsequently invited Ghita to Niamey to continue discussions.
Nuclearelectrica reportedly reaffirmed its interest and proposed sending another Romanian delegation to Niger, led by Gelu Agafiel Maracineanu, Deputy Director General of FPCU Feldioara, a subsidiary involved in nuclear fuel production.
The delegation was scheduled to visit Niamey from May 11 to May 15.
The discussions reportedly resulted in a preliminary understanding between Romanian and Nigerien officials, potentially laying the groundwork for a future uranium transaction.
A deal potentially worth $40 million
Industry expert Marc Eichinger has estimated that the proposed 300-tonne uranium transaction could be worth approximately $40 million, although the final value could depend heavily on how the deal is structured and the conditions under which the uranium is sold. According to the estimates cited in the reports, transactions conducted outside conventional market channels can attract discounts of around 30%.
At an estimated price of approximately $133,000 per tonne, 300 tonnes of uranium concentrate would therefore be valued at roughly $40 million. That figure is significantly below an estimated conventional market valuation of approximately $57 million, based on a uranium price of about $190,050 per tonne.
If completed, the transaction would not only provide Niger with a potentially important new commercial partner but could also give Romania access to a substantial quantity of uranium for its nuclear energy programme.
A changing uranium map in Africa
The potential Romanian-Nigerien deal comes at a time when Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali are pursuing a more assertive approach to the management of their natural resources.
The three Sahelian countries are governed by military-led administrations that came to power amid widespread dissatisfaction with previous governments, particularly over insecurity and the perceived failure of traditional foreign partnerships.
Since taking power, the authorities in these countries have increasingly emphasised economic sovereignty and greater national control over strategic resources.
For Niger, uranium is particularly important because it has historically been one of the country’s most significant export commodities and a central pillar of its economic relationship with France.
The possible sale of Nigerien uranium to Romania could therefore represent more than a commercial transaction. It could signal a broader transformation in Niger’s resource diplomacy as the country seeks to replace longstanding Western partnerships with a more diversified network of international buyers and investors.
What the potential deal could mean for France
For France, the development could have important strategic implications. France’s nuclear industry has relied heavily on uranium sourced from Africa, particularly Niger, for decades. The deterioration of relations between Paris and Niamey has already disrupted that longstanding supply relationship.
If Romania succeeds in purchasing a substantial portion of the uranium currently caught up in the Orano-Niger dispute, it would demonstrate that Niger is increasingly willing and able to redirect its uranium trade toward new partners.
For Romania, meanwhile, the deal could strengthen the country’s nuclear fuel supply chain and potentially expand its role within Europe’s nuclear energy market. The proposed acquisition remains subject to further negotiations and the finalisation of any formal commercial agreement. Nevertheless, the discussions point to a significant shift in the geopolitics of Niger’s uranium industry.
What began as a confrontation between Niger and a major French nuclear company could ultimately create an opening for a new European partner, putting Romania at the centre of an evolving contest over one of Africa’s most strategically important resources.
