Should France companies leave the Sahel?

After the coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, anti-French sentiment gained ground, sometimes with consequences for French business.

The day after the coup against Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum, a question was on everyone's lips: what about uranium? Indeed, with Orano, the multinational company 45% owned by the French State, France imports this mineral essential to the operation of its nuclear power plants from the Nigerien desert.

But very quickly, Orano and the mining companies active in the sector, affirmed that the coup d'etat does not change anything for it. Or so little. “The event has no impact on our activities,” reacted Stephen G. Roman, CEO of the Canadian company Global Atomic which is developing the Dasa project. On the Orano side, management mentions “particular attention to ensure the safety of all [its] employees and [its] sites on site”.

Consequences for exports

Does France depend on Niger's uranium resources?

Essential to the operation of nuclear power plants, the supply of uranium is at the heart of French concerns after the seizure of power by the junta of General Tiani.

In the aftermath of the July 30 protests outside the embassy in Niamey, President Emmanuel Macron said he would not tolerate any attack on his country and its interests. “Anyone who attacks French nationals, the army, diplomats and businesses would see France respond immediately and intractably,” warned the Élysée.

Beyond the 1,500 soldiers and 500 to 600 French nationals on the spot, Niamey represents a strategic economic stake for Paris. With Orano, the multinational company 45% owned by the French state, the country imports natural uranium from the Niger desert, which is essential for the operation of nuclear power plants in France.

Diversification of sources of supply

The leading source of electricity production and consumption in France, with a fleet of 56 reactors spread across the country, nuclear energy is piloted by the EDF group. If the French energy company refuses to communicate figures on its supply portfolio, it affirms to Jeune Afrique "not to depend on any site, any company and any country".

The group imports 7,000 tonnes of uranium every year, i.e. nearly 10% of global demand. And imports of Nigerien uranium would cover between 10 and 15% of France's needs. "For the sake of security of supply to nuclear power plants, EDF is maximizing the diversification of its geographical sources and its suppliers", specifies a spokesperson for the management.

                    Reinforced vigilance

While fears were raised after the coup against Mohamed Bazoum, French nuclear power plants seem, at this stage, immune to the repercussions of the security situation in Niger. A company responsible for mining uranium in the Nigerien desert, Orano (ex-Areva) said it would continue its activities at its headquarters in Niamey, and at the operational sites of Arlit and Akokan.

Present in the country for 50 years through 3 companies, Cominak, Somaïr and Imouraren, the multinational has announced a reorganization adapted to the current context. “The safety of all our employees present in Niger and our sites continues to be ensured with increased vigilance”, specifies a communication from the group dated August 1.