Niger’s military-led government has signed a fresh series of oil agreements with Chinese energy firms, marking a major step in the Alliance of Sahel States’ (AES) broader push to strengthen energy cooperation and assert greater control over strategic natural resources.
Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine on Monday chaired the signing ceremony of a new oil partnership protocol with the China Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation, describing the deal as a significant advance for the country’s petroleum sector.
The agreements come after months of tensions between Niamey and Chinese oil operators over labour disputes and regulatory compliance.
Niger’s junta, which seized power in 2023, has increasingly sought to renegotiate foreign involvement in key sectors such as oil and uranium as part of a wider sovereignty-focused economic agenda across AES member states.
Niger seeks greater control over strategic oil assets
