The United States government has authorized up to $414 million in financing for a uranium development in Niger, the project’s developer announced on Wednesday. This financial commitment comes approximately two years after Washington agreed to withdraw its military forces from the West African nation.
The US Development Finance Corp approved the debt facility for Global Atomic, a Canadian mining company, regarding its Dasa project. The firm describes the deposit as the highest-grade uranium source on the African continent.
This investment represents a strategic move to bolster American access to critical uranium supplies. Niger currently ranks as the world’s seventh-largest uranium producer and is engaged in an ongoing dispute with French state-backed miner Orano, which historically dominated the sector.
Sources indicated that US Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon advocated for rebuilding ties with Niger and supporting the project following the inauguration of the Trump administration, which has prioritized deal-making in Africa. The initiative was viewed as a method to ensure access to a vital energy resource that might otherwise align with rival powers.
A breakthrough in negotiations occurred this summer when Global Atomic CEO Stephen Roman traveled to Washington to address outstanding issues preventing approval. The deal also offers a potential positive development for US-Canada relations, which have faced tensions due to a recent trade dispute between the two neighbors.
The project operates amid significant instability. In August 2026, an attempted mutiny saw soldiers attack a military airbase and the presidential palace in Niamey. Niger subsequently accused France of orchestrating the attack, a claim Paris denied. In response to the unrest, Algeria dispatched aircraft to assist the Nigerien government, signaling strengthening regional ties.
Due to security concerns, Global Atomic is exploring alternative export routes, including a northern corridor through Algeria and across the Sahara Desert. Uranium was added to the US critical minerals list last year, further driving interest in Niger’s reserves.
Can we talk about the mutiny in August? Sending billions into such an unstable region feels incredibly risky.
Interesting pivot. Getting uranium from Niger right after pulling troops out seems like a bold geopolitical hedge against rivals.