That Russian-led massive Nigerien convoy of Orano uranium on its way from Arlit to the port in Lomé, Togo is such a risky adventure, quickly becoming one of the most dangerous events in the Sahel this year. On the way Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Development to watch.

On the French side, there is a strong belief that an agreement has recently been reached for $170 million (€147 million) between the junta of General Abdourahamane Tiani and the Russian nuclear giant Rosatom for the acquisition of 1,000 tons of yellowcake (concentrated but unenriched uranium) produced by the French nuclear group Orano at its former Arlit mine in northern Niger – out of the 1,400 tons stored there.

A military-escorted convoy transported uranium from the Somaïr site in Arlit on Thursday, 27 November 2025, covering roughly 250 kilometres toward Agadez. The site, which holds over 1,300 tonnes of uranium, has been unable to export its stock since the Benin border closure. The operation follows the June 2025 nationalisation of the Aïr Mining Company—previously majority-owned by Orano—deepening diplomatic friction between Niamey and Paris after the 2023 coup.
Orano has condemned what it calls the “illegal transport” of uranium, saying it has no information on the volume moved, its destination, or the security arrangements. The French firm has already triggered two arbitration cases, and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ruled two months ago that Niger must not sell the disputed stock.
During a recent visit to northern Niger this month, General Abdourahamane Tiani reiterated that the uranium “belongs to the Nigerien people” and insisted Niamey “will not ask anyone’s permission” to sell it.
A source close to the government, speaking to RFI, suggested Niger is seeking a credible buyer to avoid fuelling nuclear proliferation, though the existence of the convoy was not confirmed. As the standoff escalates, Orano has signalled that it may initiate further legal action, underscoring a widening gulf between Niger’s assertion of resource sovereignty and France’s commercial and legal claims.