In a bold move reflecting growing efforts by West African military governments to exert control over their natural resources, Niger’s junta has ordered three senior Chinese oil executives to leave the country, sources familiar with the matter revealed on Friday.
The officials—directors from the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the West African Oil Pipeline Company (WAPCo), and the joint venture oil refinery SORAZ—were instructed to exit Niger within 48 hours, according to two sources close to the situation. By Friday, at least one source confirmed that the officials had left the country.
The decision reportedly stemmed from disagreements over local staff wages and the slow pace of oil projects, a source connected to the affected companies disclosed. The Nigerien government has not issued an official statement, and requests for comment from CNPC, WAPCo, and SORAZ have gone unanswered.
Beyond the oil sector, tensions between the junta and Chinese businesses seem to be escalating. Just last week, Niger’s tourism ministry revoked the license of a Chinese-operated hotel in the capital, Niamey, citing alleged discriminatory practices.
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Since seizing power in a 2023 coup, Niger’s military leadership has been actively redefining its foreign partnerships and resource management strategies. In 2023, the junta signed a $400 million memorandum of understanding with CNPC related to crude oil sales from the Agadem oilfield, highlighting China’s deep investment in Niger’s energy sector.
However, the expulsion of these officials mirrors broader trends across Mali and Burkina Faso, where military-led governments have taken legal and administrative steps to assert control over valuable resources, including gold.
Niger’s leadership has already severed defense agreements with both the United States and France, its former colonial ruler. Additionally, authorities took control of the Somair uranium mine, previously managed by the French nuclear fuels company Orano, signaling a shift in how the country intends to handle its key industries.
As Niger’s government continues to reassert authority over its resources, the decision to expel these Chinese executives could mark the beginning of a broader restructuring of its economic and trade relationships.
