The United States government has approved as much as $414 million in financing for a significant uranium project in Niger, a move that comes two years after U.S. troops were withdrawn from the West African nation. The U.S. Development Finance Corp greenlit the debt facility for the Dasa project, developed by Canadian miner Global Atomic, which is described as possessing Africa's highest-grade uranium deposit.

This substantial investment could reshape U.S. access to vital uranium supplies at a time when Niger, a major global uranium producer, is engaged in a dispute with the French company Orano, which has historically dominated the country's uranium sector. The decision reflects a strategic effort to bolster U.S. interests in critical minerals.

Sources familiar with the initiative indicated that U.S. Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon had advocated for rebuilding ties with Niger and supporting the project, particularly following the Trump administration's increased focus on strategic partnerships in Africa. The financing was finalized after Global Atomic CEO Stephen Roman met with Washington officials this summer to address outstanding approval issues.

The investment may also serve as a positive development for U.S.-Canada relations, which have experienced recent strains. Niger's government has not yet commented on the deal.

The Dasa project, however, operates within a volatile security and political landscape. In August 2026, a mutiny attempt saw attacks on key government and military sites in the capital, Niamey. Niger subsequently accused France of orchestrating the offensive, an allegation France denied. These security concerns have prompted Global Atomic to explore alternative export routes for the uranium from the landlocked country, including a potential route through Algeria.

The U.S. withdrawal of approximately 1,000 troops in 2024 followed the Nigerien military government's declaration of their presence as "illegal." This shift occurred as Niger sought security cooperation with Russia, a move that also led to the departure of French forces in the same year.

Officials viewed the uranium project as an opportunity to secure a strategic energy resource that might otherwise align with rival global powers. The project's success is now intricately linked to navigating the complex geopolitical dynamics and persistent security challenges in the Sahel region.

Unresolved questions remain regarding the long-term security guarantees for the project and the stability of Niger's government as it manages internal security threats and international relations.