US approves $414M uranium investment in Niger, two years after troops left | Business and Economy News
U.S. Government Approves $414 Million Uranium Project in Niger
September 17, 2026
The United States government has authorized up to $414 million in financing for a uranium mining project in Niger, as confirmed by the project’s developer, Global Atomic. This funding comes two years after the U.S. agreed to withdraw troops from Niger amid shifting diplomatic relations.
The U.S. Development Finance Corporation approved the debt facility for Global Atomic’s Dasa project, touted as the highest-grade uranium deposit in Africa, according to a statement released Wednesday.
This investment is seen as a strategic move to enhance U.S. access to uranium at a time when Niger, the world’s seventh-largest uranium producer, is in conflict with Orano, a French state-backed miner that historically controlled much of the country’s uranium sector.
U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon has advocated for strengthening ties with the Nigerien government and supporting the Dasa project, particularly following the election of former President Donald Trump, who emphasized business engagements in Africa.
Following a military coup in Niger in 2023, which led to the government labeling the U.S. troop presence as “illegal,” the Biden administration agreed in 2024 to withdraw approximately 1,000 troops. French forces were also ordered to depart during the same period.
The Dasa project presents an opportunity for the U.S. to secure critical energy resources potentially at risk of falling under rival influences. A breakthrough in negotiations occurred this summer when Global Atomic CEO Stephen Roman traveled to Washington to address outstanding issues related to the financing approval.
In addition, the project could serve as a positive development in U.S.-Canada relations, which have faced challenges amid ongoing trade disputes between the two nations.
Niger’s government has not yet responded to requests for comment from Reuters regarding the project.
The project, however, faces considerable political and security challenges. Notably, in August 2026, an attempted mutiny involved armed attacks on key military and government sites in Niamey, Niger’s capital. The military accused France of orchestrating the uprising, a claim France has denied.
To mitigate security risks, Global Atomic is exploring alternative routes for exporting uranium from Niger, with discussions suggesting potential investment in a northern route through Algeria and across the Sahara Desert. This interest follows Algeria’s recent support, in which it deployed aircraft to assist Niger in addressing the coup attempt.
Last year, uranium was designated as a critical mineral by the U.S. government, further intensifying interest in Niger’s uranium reserves.
