Niger’s ruling junta is in negotiations with Iran to sell 300 metric tons of uranium ore, valued at over $56mn, Africa Defense Forum, a magazine published quarterly by US Africa Command, writes. 

This deal, which involves "yellowcake" uranium ore, has sparked concern due to fears that it could be used in Iran’s nuclear programme. The uranium may enable Iran to achieve its long-stated goal of obtaining nuclear weapons, escalating tensions surrounding global nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Iran could theoretically convert this material to bomb-grade levels relatively quickly, though it would take longer to construct a deliverable nuclear weapon.

Niger boasts Africa's highest-grade uranium ores. It is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium and is endowed with 5% of global uranium resources. Only two other African countries are currently mining uranium in industrial quantities: Namibia and South Africa.

In return for the uranium, Iran has promised Niger economic aid, agricultural support, and military equipment, including drones and surface-to-air missiles, according to ADF.

In February, the Wall Street Journal was the first to report that negotiations between Iran and Niger "had reached a very advanced stage". A delegation from Washington that arrived in Niger in mid-March, including the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Fee and the head of the US Africa Command, General Michael Langley, expressed concern over Niger's cooperation with Iran regarding the use of uranium deposits.

The purported deal with Iran comes after Niger’s exports were blocked following a coup in July 2023, which left the West African country isolated and economically weakened. With sanctions and border closures choking its economy, the junta’s need for immediate cash flow and military resources to combat internal insurgencies has pushed it into alliances that provide immediate financial and military support.

After expelling traditional security partners such as France and the US, the Nigerien junta has turned to nations such as Iran and Russia for survival.

"Niger has struggled since the 2023 coup. Sanctions, diplomatic disputes and border closings with its West African neighbours, such as Benin, have made it impossible for Niger to export natural resources, including oil," ADF writes.

"As a result, the junta has been forced to cut its budget by 40% and has defaulted on $519mn in international debt payments. The World Bank expects Niger’s economic growth in 2024 to be 45% less than it was in the pre-coup period."