Niger

Current status

Niger's security environment has deteriorated sharply over the past 30 days, with 19 critical and high-severity events concentrated around military operations and violent incidents. All events fall under economic/political categories, reflecting escalating conflict involving both domestic security forces and external military presence. The concentration of tank/artillery attacks and troop buildups, particularly around the capital Niamey and Maradi region, signals heightened instability that threatens critical export infrastructure.

Supply chain impact

• Uranium supply chains face severe disruption risk as Niger produces approximately 5% of global uranium, with mining operations concentrated in regions experiencing military activity and troop movements.
• French nuclear energy companies and global uranium buyers should expect potential export delays or suspensions, given Niger's role as a key supplier to European nuclear facilities.
• Agricultural exports including livestock face transport disruptions along key corridors to coastal ports, particularly routes through southern Niger toward Nigeria and Benin.
• Gold mining operations and export logistics are vulnerable to security incidents, especially in remote mining areas where government control may be limited.
• Regional trade flows through Niger as a landlocked transit hub for Chad and northern Nigeria commodities face significant bottlenecks due to military operations.

Watch points

• Monitor uranium mining facility security status and any evacuation of international personnel from Areva/Orano operations in northern Niger.
• Track border crossing closures or restrictions along Niger-Nigeria and Niger-Benin corridors that could disrupt agricultural exports and regional trade flows.
• Watch for escalation in Niamey that could affect government functionality and export licensing processes for critical minerals.