Niger’s government has announced plans to construct two nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 4,000 megawatts in partnership with Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation, Rosatom.
Mining Minister Ousmane Abarchi presented the proposal at a nuclear forum in Moscow, highlighting Niger’s readiness to jointly develop its uranium reserves with Russia.
Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev welcomed the initiative, describing it as “extremely interesting.” The project, according to Niger, would be carried out under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
As Africa’s eighth-largest producer of uranium in 2024, Niger views nuclear power as key to advancing its energy and development ambitions, with Abarchi stressing its importance for both the country and the wider continent.
The move comes as Russia strengthens ties with several African nations, extending cooperation beyond security into energy. Currently, South Africa is the only African country operating a nuclear plant, while Egypt has reactors under construction.
Other states, including Ghana, Algeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Sudan, have also expressed interest in pursuing nuclear power.
