The military-led government of Niger has revoked gold mining concessions previously granted to three companies as part of a broader effort to strengthen state control over the country’s natural resources.
Authorities announced that the licences issued between 2017 and 2020 to Comini, Afrior and Ecomine had been cancelled after the firms allegedly failed to meet key contractual obligations. According to government officials, the companies did not fully comply with requirements such as paying taxes, submitting annual technical and financial reports, and adhering to environmental regulations.
The move reflects a wider policy shift by Niger’s military leadership since it seized power following the 2023 Nigerien coup d’état. The junta has since intensified efforts to place greater oversight on the country’s strategic resources.
As part of this strategy, the government last year nationalised the Samira gold mine, currently the country’s only industrial-scale gold mining operation, in an attempt to increase state participation in the sector.
Officials argue that previous agreements allowed foreign companies to extract resources while providing limited economic benefits to local communities and the national treasury.
The government’s latest actions also extended to the oil industry. Authorities revealed that they had rejected a request by Savannah Energy, a British energy firm, to extend its exploration and drilling licence in the country’s south-eastern region.
According to officials, the company failed to comply with the terms of an output-sharing agreement covering four oil blocks in the Agadem Rift Basin.
Niger is a key producer of uranium, gold and oil in West Africa, with its uranium sector ranking among the largest in Africa. These resources have long attracted international companies but have also fuelled domestic debates over revenue sharing and economic benefits for the country.
Across the Sahel region, governments have increasingly questioned long-standing foreign-led resource extraction arrangements, arguing that they have produced limited development gains. In response, several administrations—particularly military governments—have begun renegotiating contracts, expanding state ownership in mining operations and tightening regulatory oversight.
However, the shift toward stronger national control has raised concerns among some international investors and governments about investment stability in the region. Critics warn that abrupt contract cancellations and nationalisation policies could discourage future foreign investment in the mining sector.
Despite these concerns, Niger’s authorities say their priority is ensuring that the country’s natural wealth contributes more directly to national revenue and economic sovereignty.
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