Turkey seeks uranium supplies from Niger

Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan, earlier this week, led a delegation to Niger to discuss uranium supplies, Bloomberg reported.

The delegation “wants to tap Nigerien supplies of the fissile mineral to fuel Turkey’s nascent nuclear-power industry,” it said.

The two parties agreed to boost cooperation on energy, mining, intelligence, and defense, at a time Niger saw its ties with its traditional western partners worsen following the military coup.

Niger, following the example of its neighbors, Mali and Burkina Faso, has asked western troops to leave the country, while building a stronger alliance with Russia.

Last month, Iran reportedly bought 300 tons of uranium from Niger to be used for its nuclear program in exchange of drones and surface-to-air missiles, London-based media Iran International reported.

French Le Monde also confirmed the deal between Iran and Niger, noting that the mine in Arlit where concentrated uranium is abundant is extracted by French company Orano.

Niger’s authorities denied the deal.