France’s state-owned nuclear energy company Orano has launched a major diplomatic and commercial push to secure uranium supply agreements with Botswana, following Niger’s full nationalisation of Orano’s operations in mid-2025. The loss of Niger left Orano with a significant gap in its uranium supply chain just as European governments scramble to secure nuclear fuel as part of a broader push to reduce dependence on Russian energy.
France has historically sourced the majority of its uranium from Niger, where the French nuclear industry maintained close ties with successive governments in Niamey. Relations deteriorated sharply after Niger’s military coup in 2023, with the new government accusing France and Orano of exploitation and failing to share mining benefits fairly with local communities. The nationalisation was presented as an assertion of sovereignty over resources that had been exploited by foreign powers for decades.
Botswana, which holds the world’s third-largest known uranium ore reserves, has positioned itself as a preferred partner for international mining companies seeking new nuclear fuel sources. The country’s political stability, transparent regulatory framework, and relatively strong infrastructure have made it an attractive destination for long-term investment. Orano’s decision to prioritise Botswana signals a strategic shift in France’s approach to African uranium.
The timing coincides with a sharp acceleration in European interest in nuclear energy. Several EU member states have reversed decades of ambivalence about nuclear power in response to energy disruptions caused by the Ukraine conflict. African countries with uranium resources are increasingly well placed to benefit from this renewed demand.
For Botswana, a successful Orano partnership would represent a major vote of confidence in its mining sector as the country diversifies away from diamond dependency. Environmental groups have urged caution and called for robust environmental safeguards to be built into any new agreements.
Sources: The Africa Report, France24, Mining Focus Africa (April 9–10, 2026)