US approves $414 million investment in Niger uranium project

The United States government has approved up to $414 million in financing for a uranium project in Niger, marking a significant development in the relationship between the two nations two years after the withdrawal of American troops. The debt facility, authorized by the U.S. Development Finance Corp, is designated for the Dasa project, which is operated by the Canadian mining firm Global Atomic. The company has characterized the site as the highest-grade uranium deposit in Africa.

This investment arrives as Niger, the world’s seventh-largest uranium producer, is currently involved in a dispute with the French state-backed miner Orano, a company that has historically maintained a dominant position in the nation's uranium sector. The financing is viewed as a strategic move to secure access to a vital energy resource that might otherwise be influenced by competing global powers.

The diplomatic and commercial breakthrough follows a period of strained relations between Washington and Niamey. In 2023, a military government seized power in a coup, subsequently ordering the departure of French forces. By 2024, the military leadership deemed the presence of approximately 1,000 U.S. troops illegal, leading to their withdrawal. Since the ousting of Western forces, Niger’s new leadership has increasingly relied on Russian paramilitaries for security.

Efforts to rebuild ties between the two countries have been supported by U.S. Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon. According to those familiar with the matter, the ambassador encouraged Washington to back the project following the inauguration of the Trump administration, which has placed a renewed emphasis on economic deal-making within the African continent.

The project represents a shift in U.S. engagement with Niger, prioritizing the securing of strategic energy supplies despite the significant political changes that have occurred in the country since 2023. While the military government has pivoted toward Russia for security cooperation, this financial commitment from the United States signals a continued interest in maintaining a presence in the region through economic investment.