A large uranium shipment that left northern Niger in late November has been stuck at Niamey airport for several weeks, raising diplomatic and security concerns for the country’s military junta.
Since seizing power in 2023, the junta has distanced itself from its longtime ally, France, and moved closer to Russia, complicating the handling of the cargo, which is estimated at over 1,000 tonnes. Niger, one of the world’s top uranium producers, intends to sell the shipment internationally.
Stalled at the Airport
The uranium, traditionally mined by the French company Orano (formerly Areva), has become central to the junta’s effort to assert control over the nation’s natural resources.
In June, the military government announced the nationalization of Orano’s Somair mine in Arlit, northern Niger, and shortly afterward declared its plans to sell uranium on the global market.
Satellite imagery shows that 34 trucks arrived at Niamey airport between December 3 and 5. While the exact contents cannot be independently verified, multiple sources—including Wamaps, a West African journalist network focusing on Sahel security—report that the trucks contain the uranium shipment.
The trucks stayed within the airport’s military zone for nearly a month and were gradually moved in mid-January. By January 17, no trucks were visible. “The cargo is entirely within the airport; it has been moved to secure locations,” a source told AFP. “It is not intended to leave the country anytime soon.”
Challenges in Transport
Transporting goods out of landlocked Niger usually requires access to a nearby country’s port. Niger borders Nigeria and Benin, but tensions with Abuja and a closed border with Cotonou have blocked the most direct route via Benin’s Seme-Kpodji port.
An alternative is shipping the uranium through Togo, but that involves crossing western Niger and Burkina Faso, areas plagued by jihadist violence. The route would pass through Torodi in southwestern Niger, where the local prefect was killed earlier this year. “Niger is hesitating because of growing security risks,” the source said. The Tillaberi region along the Burkina Faso border became the deadliest area in the central Sahel in 2025, according to conflict monitoring group ACLED.
Air Transport Considered
Another option is air transport. Satellite images detected two Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76 cargo planes at Niamey between January 9 and 13. However, flight tracking data shows no registered departures. The buyer of the uranium remains unknown, and Moscow has not officially confirmed interest, although Russia’s energy minister previously described uranium mining in Niger as a key goal. Russia’s Rosatom has also signed an agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation with Niger.
Legal Disputes
France opened an investigation in December into the possible theft of the uranium “in the interests of a foreign power.” Orano claims ownership of the shipment, a stance rejected by Niamey, which accuses the company of owing 58 billion CFA francs ($102 million) in unpaid debts.
The legal dispute complicates any potential transit of the uranium, including through Togo. “Togo is now hesitating because, under international law, the cargo would have to be seized if it entered its territory,” the source said.
On Wednesday, Orano pledged to pursue legal action against Niger and against anyone attempting to access the uranium stockpile at Niamey.
