In a major geopolitical development, Niger has signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia, marking the completion of a broader deal between Moscow and the three military-led governments of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
- Niger and Russia have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement to develop peaceful atomic energy infrastructure.
- The agreement encompasses assistance in constructing nuclear power plants, research reactors, and supplying fuel.
- This deal follows similar agreements Russia has signed with Mali and Burkina Faso, all part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The agreement, which focuses on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, will see Russia’s Rosatom assist these West African nations in developing nuclear infrastructure, including the construction of power plants and research reactors, as well as the supply of nuclear fuel.
The announcement was made on July 28 by the press office of Russia’s Ministry of Energy.
“During today’s meeting, an important memorandum of cooperation in the field of peaceful atom was signed. Our task is not just to participate in the extraction of uranium, we must create an entire system for the development of a peaceful atom in Niger,” Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev stated via the ministry’s official Telegram channel.
Tsivilev added that the memorandum outlines collaboration on multiple fronts, including “the construction of nuclear power plants (NPP), nuclear medicine, and joint training of specialists in this field.”
The deal highlights Russia’s long-term strategy to build a nuclear development ecosystem in Africa’s military-led states and signals a new phase of strategic engagement in the Sahel.
Russia’s deepening nuclear deals with Africa’s Sahel states
This deal marks the latest sign of deepening ties between Russia and Africa’s transitional governments, which have increasingly turned to Moscow for diplomatic and technological support amid strained relations with Western powers.
Last month, the Russian government approved similar civil nuclear cooperation agreements with Mali and Burkina Faso, signaling Moscow’s long-term intent to expand its energy partnerships and influence across the strategically important Sahel region.
Russia and Burkina Faso concluded their agreement at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), with Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev signing on behalf of Russia, and Burkina Faso’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries, Yacouba Zabré Gouba, signing on behalf of Ouagadougou.
Likewise, Russia and Mali formalized their cooperation in Moscow, where Likhachev signed the agreement alongside Malian Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Boubacar Diane.
For the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—this growing nuclear partnership is seen as a bold move toward energy sovereignty and long-term economic resilience, amid persistent power shortages, population growth, and infrastructure gaps.
The agreements also reflect the evolving global realignment in the wake of the Ukraine conflict, with Russia increasingly positioning itself as a strategic ally to African governments looking beyond Western-led institutions for support and investment.
