Turkey seeks to tap into Niger’s mining potential

Turkey is diversifying its African partners, moving from east Africa to the Sahel and Niger in particular where Ankara sees mining opportunities.

In this respect, Turkey signed a deal to cooperate in the mining sector in the covered uranium-rich but unstable Sahel country.

Turkey and Niger signed a provisional pact to boost cooperation in mining, a sign of closer ties between the two countries as new powers jostle for access to the West African nation’s uranium resources.

Since the coup in Niger, the government in Niamey revoked uranium permits from French and Canadian companies. Since then, Russia has sought to take over some assets, capitalizing on improved relations with a string of African nations rocked by coups last year.

The Turkish charm offensive in the Sahel takes place as the country seeks resources for its nascent nuclear-power industry.