Niger’s military leadership has ordered three Chinese oil executives to leave the country, citing their failure to comply with a new mining code provision aimed at promoting the use of local goods and services.
The decision is part of a broader effort by military regimes across West Africa to tighten control over foreign mining companies and increase revenue from natural resources.
The executives—representing China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Zinder Refining Company, and the West African Gas Pipeline Company Ltd. (WAPCO)—were given 48 hours to leave, according to Ibrahim Hamidou, head of communications for Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine.
Hamidou stated that the companies had failed to adhere to a 2024 amendment to Niger’s mining code, which requires extractive industry players to prioritize local goods, services, and labor.
“We simply ask the companies to pick a Nigerien sub-contractor when possible, and that a majority of the sub-contractors shouldn’t be Chinese,” Hamidou said.vCNPC has not responded to requests for comment, while WAPCO and Zinder Refining Company also remained unreachable.
This move follows Niger’s takeover of a uranium mine previously operated by French company Orano SA last year. Meanwhile, Mali’s junta has detained mining executives and seized gold from Barrick Gold Corp.’s Loulo-Gounkoto mine, signaling a regional push to tighten state control over mining operations.
In another crackdown on Chinese businesses, Niger’s military government on March 6 revoked the operating license of Soluxe International Hotel, a Chinese-owned establishment in Niamey, over alleged discriminatory practices and administrative violations.
Despite rising tensions, CNPC signed a $400 million deal with Niger in April to provide advance payments for oil, helping the junta manage debts accumulated since the 2023 coup. Niger agreed to repay the amount in oil revenue over 12 months at a 7% interest rate.
As Niger’s military government seeks to assert greater control over its natural resources, the expulsion of foreign executives signals a firm stance on enforcing local content policies.
