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Niger

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Niger. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Niamey

Head of State

General Abdourahamane (Omar) Tchiani

Head of Government

Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, whose visit to Somalia in January was cancelled over safety concerns, has highlighted the “complex and severe risks of terrorism”. Photo: EPA

China-Africa relations

China’s new security era in Africa: protecting assets, citizens in volatile nations

Analysts say China’s five-year plan suggests layered security, and PLA training to protect diplomats, nationals and assets from terror hits.

15 Mar 2026 - 9:01PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Why Beijing’s US$4.5 billion Niger-Benin oil pipeline is under fire from rebels

27 Feb 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

How a ‘military vacuum’ in West and Central Africa opened new markets for China

15 Feb 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Africa

Islamic State claims bold attack on Niger’s strategic airport hub

Islamic State militants claim a coordinated raid on Niamey’s airport, targeting a strategic hub hosting uranium and regional military bases.

31 Jan 2026 - 12:32AM

The Niamey airport in Niger, where damage is visible on the roofs of hangars on Thursday. Photo: 2026 Planet Labs PBC/AFP

Africa

Niger’s junta accuses foreign leaders of sponsoring airport attack

Niger’s military ruler vows retaliation after gunmen attack an air force base before being repelled by Russian fighters.

30 Jan 2026 - 2:29PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese workers return to Africa as lucrative job opportunities beckon

Large-scale, China-backed projects entice contract workers to take up posts in some African nations, while political instability keeps others away.

21 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

France

African teen who raised Macron’s ire with fake French coup video has no regrets

The Burkinabe teen said he had posted the fake video as a way to make money but despite millions of views, only earned US$8.

20 Dec 2025 - 11:06AMvideocam

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks at a press conference on Friday. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

How will China respond to latest West Africa coup as economic footprint expands?

Ouster of Guinea-Bissau leader Umaro Sissoco Embalo has sparked political instability fears, raising stakes for Chinese economic interests.

14 Dec 2025 - 6:35PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China arms Burkina Faso as Sahel turns away from Western security promises

As region’s security ties with US, France unravel, China steps in to fill the void and position itself for greater influence in the Sahel.

16 Aug 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

United States

US$5.3 million Mars meteorite caught up in row over who owns it

Sotheby’s insists the rock was exported legally but Niger, where the meteorite was found, is investigating the sale.

13 Aug 2025 - 3:51PM

The Martian meteorite NWA 16788 is displayed during a Sotheby’s auction preview in New York City on July 8. Photo: Reuters

Aviation accidents

Ghana defence and environment ministers killed in helicopter crash

A total of three crew and five passengers died after the aircraft dropped off the radar and went down in a heavily forested area.

7 Aug 2025 - 12:15PM

People work at the site of a military helicopter crash in Sikaman near Adansi, in Ghana’s Ashanti region on Wednesday. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

Routine or rising tensions? Chinese ambassadors in exodus from West Africa

Observers suggest the recent departure of several Chinese ambassadors could be a ‘subtle message’ to Sahelian regimes.

22 Jun 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

China calls on Niger to tackle disputes with energy firms through dialogue

It comes as tensions have been rising over Chinese oil operations, as ruling junta pursues strategy of resource nationalisation.

13 Jun 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Are China-Niger ties a test for Beijing’s cornerstone non-interference policy?

‘Strengthening a regime is, in effect, a form of internal interference,’ says analyst.

10 Jun 2025 - 6:43PMvideocam

Supporters of Niger’s ruling junta gather in Niamey on August 3, 2023. Beijing has since sought to strengthen relations with the country’s military government. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

Why China is working so hard to boost military ties in Africa’s Sahel region

The appointment of China’s new defence attaché to Niger signals a larger move by Beijing to fortify security in Africa, experts say.

25 Feb 2025 - 9:00AMvideocam

Colonel-Major Chen Xuming, China’s first ever defence attaché to Niger, is welcomed at a reception in Niamey on February 8. Photo: Handout

Africa

Putin promises Africa ‘total support’ in anti-West pitch

Facing isolation from the west over its invasion of Ukraine, Russia sought to woo African countries at a Black Sea resort this weekend.

10 Nov 2024 - 11:26PM

China-Africa relations

China key to solving Niger-Benin tensions – so oil pipeline can start pumping

China has invested billions in Niger’s oil industry. Now it must solve a political spat if it wants to see any money back.

13 Jul 2024 - 1:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Niger was betting on China-backed oil pipeline as lifeline. Then trouble began

A China-backed pipeline that would make Niger an oil-exporting country is being threatened by an internal security crisis and a diplomatic dispute with neighbouring Benin.

24 Jun 2024 - 11:45AMvideocam

A pipeline built and funded by a Chinese state-owned petroleum company links an oilfield in landlocked Niger to a port in neighbouring Benin. Photo: X / @benjimk

Africa

Nigeria cracks down on illegal mining as global demand for lithium grows

Nigeria has made dozens of arrests of unlicensed miners since April for allegedly stealing the country’s lithium, a critical mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones and power systems.

27 May 2024 - 1:15PM

China-Africa relations

After talks with China, Benin eases oil export ban against Niger

Meetings with Chinese delegation lead to relief in trade row between African neighbours, signalling Beijing’s growing role as a mediator on the continent, analysts say.

21 May 2024 - 12:00PMvideocam

Africa

Russian troops enter Niger airbase housing US military

The arrival of Russian personnel in the West African country came in the wake of a decision by Niger’s junta to expel US forces from the country.

4 May 2024 - 1:12AM

Protesters demanding US soldiers leave Niger in Niamey last month. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

Chinese state firm agrees US$400 million loan for Niger junta in return for oil

Use of resources to repay loans is a popular model for China, but critics warn these deals are unfair and ‘mortgage the future of countries’.

18 Apr 2024 - 9:53AMvideocam

China has invested heavily in Niger’s oil infrastructure, including the building of pipelines. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

Niger courts China and Russia just days after severing US military ties

Beijing positions itself to grow its oil and mining interests after a major diplomatic shift in the African nation.

29 Mar 2024 - 4:00PMvideocam

Africa

Niger breaks off military cooperation with US, as junta moves closer to Russia

The United States currently stations some 1,000 troops in Niger at a desert drone base built at a cost of US$100 million.

17 Mar 2024 - 3:13PM

Africa

West Africa leaders recognise Niger’s junta, but sanctions to stay

West African leaders kept sanctions imposed on Niger after a July military coup and demanded progress towards a short transition to civilian rule before easing the measures.

11 Dec 2023 - 12:10PM

Africa

Libya dismantles illegal gold mining network comprising Chinese nationals

The foreign nationals who carried out the mining were staying illegally in Libya, Tripoli’s attorney general said. He did not say when they were arrested.

5 Dec 2023 - 1:37AM

The Libyan flag. On Monday, authorities in Tripoli said they had dismantled an illegal gold mining network. Photo: AP

Africa

Niger junta says it thwarted escape attempt by ousted president

Niger’s military rulers said the escape plan involved Mohamed Bazoum, his family, two cooks and his security personnel flying out on helicopters ‘belonging to a foreign power’.

20 Oct 2023 - 10:45AM

Africa

France will end its military presence in Niger following coup

French President Emmanuel Macron’s move was welcomed by Niger’s military leaders as a ‘step towards sovereignty’.

25 Sep 2023 - 11:34AM

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