Bucharest eyes major Niger uranium purchase as Russia deal stalls

Romanian nuclear energy company Nuclearelectrica SA has expressed interest in purchasing 300 tons of uranium concentrate from a stockpile of more than 1,000 tons held near Niamey airport, Jeune Afrique reports.

The proposed purchase would account for nearly one-third of the stockpile, which has been at the center of a commercial dispute between Niger and French nuclear company Orano, as well as geopolitical concerns over whether the uranium could eventually reach Russia or Iran.

Documents reviewed by the publications detail negotiations involving Nuclearelectrica, the Nigerien government and state mining company Sopamin.

The uranium, commonly known as yellow cake, has been stored in containers near the Niamey airport runway since late 2025. Nuclearelectrica CEO Cosmin Ghita submitted an expression of interest on April 13 to purchase the material.

Nigerien Mines Minister Col. Abarchi Ousmane responded a week later, saying Niger wanted to “diversify its partners” and explore opportunities to supply uranium to Romania and Europe. He subsequently invited Ghita to Niamey for further discussions.

During a Romanian delegation’s visit in May, Feldioara, a Nuclearelectrica subsidiary involved in nuclear fuel activities, formally expressed its “firm and unequivocal interest” in purchasing 300 tons. The quality of the uranium, contractual terms and transportation route remained subject to negotiations.

A source familiar with the talks told Jeune Afrique that the purchase had since been finalized. However, former Sopamin Director General Abdoulahi Garba declined to confirm that a contract had been signed, while Nuclearelectrica explicitly denied that a deal had been concluded.

“No agreement has been concluded and, consequently, no price has been set,” the Romanian company told Jeune Afrique.

The potential transaction could be worth around $40 million, according to uranium-sector specialist Marc Eichinger. He estimated that a discounted price of about $133,000 per ton could bring the total to that level, compared with roughly $57 million at prevailing market prices.

The wider stockpile contains about 1,050 tons transferred from the Somair mine in northern Niger to Niamey in November 2025. Sources cited by the report said the uranium was initially intended for Russia, following a 2025 cooperation memorandum between Niger and Russia’s Rosatom. A proposed Russian deal reportedly worth around $170 million was ultimately not completed.

By Vafa Guliyeva