When the United States poured $414 million into Niger’s Dasa uranium project last year, few anticipated the seismic shift it would trigger in Niamey’s mining landscape. While the historic SOMAÏR mine—once the backbone of French-controlled uranium extraction—gasps for air, Dasa is powering ahead, reshaping not just Niger’s economy but also its geopolitical alliances.

Why the collapse of SOMAÏR’s uranium output paved the way for Dasa

SOMAÏR’s once-thriving operations have ground to a halt, with production plummeting by over 80% from its peak capacity. The culprits? A perfect storm of logistical nightmares and political friction. Border closures with Benin severed critical export routes, while armed groups and regional instability turned the transportation of yellowcake into a high-risk gamble. Orano, the French conglomerate behind SOMAÏR, found itself trapped—unable to move product or secure funds, its workforce at a standstill. The Nigerien transitional government, eager to distance itself from the perceived neocolonial ties of SOMAÏR, eventually revoked its permits, effectively nationalizing the site and leaving its once-proud mining legacy in tatters.

Dasa’s rise: America’s strategic gamble on Niger’s uranium

As SOMAÏR’s decline deepened, the timing couldn’t have been better for Dasa. The project, spearheaded by Canadian firm Global Atomic, boasts some of the world’s richest uranium deposits—high-grade ore that could single-handedly bridge the gap left by SOMAÏR’s collapse. But the real game-changer? Washington’s decisive $414 million investment through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Unlike France, whose Orano was increasingly seen as a relic of colonial-era influence, the U.S. brought something different: capital without the baggage of political strings.

The DFC’s funding didn’t just inject cash—it signaled a clear message. For Niamey’s military junta, wary of France’s lingering presence, American dollars and North American mining firms offered a neutral alternative. With SOMAÏR paralyzed and Orano sidelined, Dasa emerged as the only viable path forward, promising not just uranium but economic resuscitation.

Inside the paradox: Niger’s junta embraces Western investment despite anti-French rhetoric

Here lies the irony. The same regime that rode to power on a wave of anti-French sentiment is now leaning heavily on U.S. funding to keep its mining sector afloat. While General Tiani’s administration publicly champions sovereignty, its survival hinges on partnerships with Western financial institutions—a far cry from the revolutionary rhetoric of its early days. The question isn’t just about uranium anymore; it’s about whether Niger can afford its own ideological contradictions.

What this means for Niger’s uranium future

• Supply chain dominance: Dasa’s high-grade uranium could redefine Niger’s role in the global market, potentially making it a key player in the nuclear energy sector once again.
• Geopolitical realignment: The shift from French to American-backed mining projects underscores a broader recalibration—one where Niger’s allegiances may no longer be a binary choice between Paris and Moscow, but between pragmatism and principle.
• Economic ripple effects: With SOMAÏR’s output at near-zero, thousands of jobs have vanished, and local communities that once thrived on mining revenues now face uncertainty. Dasa’s success—or failure—will determine whether Niger’s economy can weather this storm.

As the dust settles on this mining upheaval, one thing is clear: the uranium under Niger’s soil is no longer just a resource—it’s a battleground for influence, a test of sovereignty, and a lifeline for a nation caught between its past and its future.

By Yacouba Ouédraogo — Journalist d’investigation