Niger has announced on Thursday, September 25, plans to construct two nuclear reactors in partnership with Russia’s state-owned energy company, Rosatom.
Mining Minister Ousmane Abarchi revealed the proposal at a nuclear Forum in Moscow, stating that each reactor would generate 2,000 megawatts of power. He also invited Russia to collaborate in developing Niger’s uranium reserves, describing the venture as a step of “great importance” for both the country and the wider African continent.
Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev welcomed the proposal as “extremely interesting.” Niger, the world’s eighth-largest uranium producer in 2024, is among a group of African nations deepening strategic ties with Moscow, particularly in the fields of energy and security. Abarchi stressed that any nuclear projects would be developed under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
If realised, the move would place Niger among a growing number of African states pursuing nuclear power. Currently, South Africa operates the continent’s only nuclear power station, while Egypt has reactors under construction. Other nations, including Ghana, Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Sudan, have also advanced proposals as Africa seeks to diversify its energy mix.