Latest news with #SergeiTsivilev
Newsweek
04-08-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Russia Expands Nuclear Goals for Africa in New Deal
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia has signed a nuclear energy cooperation agreement with Niger and fellow members of West Africa's Alliance of Sahel States, deepening Moscow's strategic footprint across the continent. The deal means the two nations plan to collaborate on electricity generation, nuclear medicine, infrastructure development and specialist training. Newsweek contacted the Kremlin for more information on the deal via email. Why It Matters West African states, particularly those under military rule—such as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso—are increasingly turning toward Moscow for critical investment and technical expertise. The escalation of Russian involvement brings potential economic development and energy security for millions, but it also raises questions over dependence on Russian technology, nuclear safety and the continent's future alliances. As the U.S. and European Union reconsider partnerships in the region following coups and rising authoritarianism, Russia is filling the void left behind, offering support in exchange for long-term strategic leverage. What To Know Russia and Niger finalized a memorandum of understanding in Niamey, Niger's capital, on July 29—with senior officials from Rosatom, Russia's state atomic energy corporation, and Niger's Energy Ministry in attendance. Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev led the Russian delegation and confirmed that the agreement included the construction of nuclear power plants, energy distribution networks and extensive training programs. A view of industrial buildings on the territory of the Obninsk nuclear power plant in Russia on February 2, 2021. A view of industrial buildings on the territory of the Obninsk nuclear power plant in Russia on February 2, 2021. Getty Images The agreement is the latest in a series of similar deals between Russia and African states, including prior agreements in Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda. West African nations hope the Russian-led initiative will help address acute power shortages and promote industrialization. Niger, endowed with some of the world's largest uranium reserves, stands to benefit a significant amount from the technical expertise and new infrastructure that Russia can provide. Rosatom's expanding role mirrors Russia's desire to cement alliances by tying states into its nuclear supply and service structure. What People Are Saying Sergei Tsivilev, Russia's energy minister, said in a statement about the meeting: "Today we had fruitful talks with my fellow ministers. I arrived with a large delegation, which includes many representatives of Russian business. We listened to detailed presentations on the cooperation opportunities that Niger is ready to offer. And now our teams are discussing with each other, face to face, how to realize this great potential." The Russian Ministry of Energy said: "The countries view each other as important partners, and the creation of a joint IGC will be an important stage in the development of bilateral relations and will make it possible to transfer bilateral cooperation to a systemic basis. The parties also discussed cooperation in the economic sphere, the implementation of joint projects in the fields of energy, transport, infrastructure, agriculture and mining." What Happens Next Rosatom officials are expected to begin assessments for nuclear infrastructure in Niger and other Alliance of Sahel States members within the coming months.
Daily Tribune
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Russia wants to mine Niger's uranium
Russia wishes to mine uranium in Niger, a top source of the radioactive metal ruled by a military junta friendly to the Kremlin, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev has said. Since the junta took power in a 2023 coup, Niger has turned to Russia, which commands the world's largest arsenal of atomic weapons, for help in fighting the west African country's jihadist insurgency. Arguing that Niger should benefit more from being the world's seventh-largest producer of uranium, the junta has also insisted on greater control over its natural resources. That policy has led to tensions with former colonial ruler France, whose nuclear power plants have long relied on uranium extracted from Niger. While on an official visit to the capital Niamey on Monday, Tsivilev met Niger's junta chief, General Abdourahamane Tiani, to talk about the two countries' burgeoning economic cooperation. 'Our main goal is to mine uranium,' Tsivilev said after meeting the general. 'Our task is not only to participate in uranium mining, but to create an entire system for the development of civil nuclear power in Niger,' the energy minister is quoted as saying in an official Russian statement. Mining stand-off During the visit, Russia's atomic agency Rosatom and Niger's energy ministry signed a memorandum of understanding on civilian uses for nuclear power, according to the statement. Among others, Tsivilev pointed to the construction of atomic power plants, advances in nuclear medicine and the training of Nigerien specialists in those fields. Like its fellow junta-run allies in Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger has pivoted away from France and the West in favour of closer cooperation with Russia. As a result of its insistence on exercising more control over Niger's natural resources, the junta is currently locked in a stand-off with the Orano nuclear group, which is 90-percent owned by the French state. In 2024, Niger removed Orano's operational control of its three main mines in the country -- Somair, Cominak and Imouraren -- which the Paris-based company has attempted to win back through arbitration. The Imouraren mine is home to one of the largest deposits of uranium in the world. In June the ruling junta announced it would nationalise the Somair mine, in a move Orano slammed as 'asset stripping'. There was no indication from Monday's meeting that any of Orano's Nigerien mines would be turned over to Russia. When contacted by AFP, the Paris-based miner did not wish to comment on the prospect of Moscow mining uranium in Niger. Uranium was first discovered in the country in 1957 while under French rule, with mining beginning in 1971. Niger produced 3,527 tonnes of the radioactive metal in 2023, equal to 6.3 percent of global production, according to mining industry publication Globaldata.
News24
29-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
Russia eyes Niger's uranium mines as West African nation ditches France
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev announced Russia's intention to mine uranium in Niger, the world's seventh-largest producer. Since the 2023 military coup, Niger has pivoted away from France and Western allies toward Russia. Niger's military government is locked in a standoff with Orano, the French state-owned nuclear group. Russia wishes to mine uranium in Niger, a top source of the radioactive metal ruled by a military junta friendly to the Kremlin, Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev has said. Since the junta took power in a 2023 coup, Niger has turned to Russia, which commands the world's largest arsenal of atomic weapons, for help in fighting the west African country's jihadist insurgency. Arguing that Niger should benefit more from being the world's seventh-largest producer of uranium, the junta has also insisted on greater control over its natural resources. That policy has led to tensions with former colonial ruler France, whose nuclear power plants have long relied on uranium extracted from Niger. While on an official visit to the capital Niamey on Monday, Tsivilev met Niger's junta chief, General Abdourahamane Tiani, to talk about the two countries' burgeoning economic cooperation. 'Our main goal is to mine uranium,' Tsivilev said after meeting the general. 'Our task is not only to participate in uranium mining, but to create an entire system for the development of civil nuclear power in Niger,' the energy minister is quoted as saying in an official Russian statement. Mining stand-off During the visit, Russia's atomic agency Rosatom and Niger's energy ministry signed a memorandum of understanding on civilian uses for nuclear power, according to the statement. Among others, Tsivilev pointed to the construction of atomic power plants, advances in nuclear medicine and the training of Nigerien specialists in those fields. Like its fellow junta-run allies in Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger has pivoted away from France and the West in favour of closer cooperation with Russia. As a result of its insistence on exercising more control over Niger's natural resources, the junta is currently locked in a stand-off with the Orano nuclear group, which is 90% owned by the French state. In 2024, Niger removed Orano's operational control of its three main mines in the country - Somair, Cominak and Imouraren - which the Paris-based company has attempted to win back through arbitration. The Imouraren mine is home to one of the largest deposits of uranium in the world. In June the ruling junta announced it would nationalise the Somair mine, in a move Orano slammed as 'asset stripping'. There was no indication from Monday's meeting that any of Orano's Nigerien mines would be turned over to Russia. When contacted by AFP, the Paris-based miner did not wish to comment on the prospect of Moscow mining uranium in Niger. Uranium was first discovered in the country in 1957 while under French rule, with mining beginning in 1971. Niger produced 3 527 tonnes of the radioactive metal in 2023, equal to 6.3% of global production, according to mining industry publication Globaldata.
Business Insider
29-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Last Sahel regime aligns with Russia on nuclear energy cooperation in Africa
The agreement, which focuses on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, will see Russia's Rosatom assist these West African nations in developing nuclear infrastructure, including the construction of power plants and research reactors, as well as the supply of nuclear fuel. The announcement was made on July 28 by the press office of Russia's Ministry of Energy. ' During today's meeting, an important memorandum of cooperation in the field of peaceful atom was signed. Our task is not just to participate in the extraction of uranium, we must create an entire system for the development of a peaceful atom in Niger,' Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev stated via the ministry's official Telegram channel. Tsivilev added that the memorandum outlines collaboration on multiple fronts, including 'the construction of nuclear power plants (NPP), nuclear medicine, and joint training of specialists in this field.' The deal highlights Russia's long-term strategy to build a nuclear development ecosystem in Africa's military-led states and signals a new phase of strategic engagement in the Sahel. Russia's deepening nuclear deals with Africa's Sahel states This deal marks the latest sign of deepening ties between Russia and Africa's transitional governments, which have increasingly turned to Moscow for diplomatic and technological support amid strained relations with Western powers. Last month, the Russian government approved similar civil nuclear cooperation agreements with Mali and Burkina Faso, signaling Moscow's long-term intent to expand its energy partnerships and influence across the strategically important Sahel region. Russia and Burkina Faso concluded their agreement at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), with Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev signing on behalf of Russia, and Burkina Faso's Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries, Yacouba Zabré Gouba, signing on behalf of Ouagadougou. Likewise, Russia and Mali formalized their cooperation in Moscow, where Likhachev signed the agreement alongside Malian Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Boubacar Diane. For the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—this growing nuclear partnership is seen as a bold move toward energy sovereignty and long-term economic resilience, amid persistent power shortages, population growth, and infrastructure gaps. The agreements also reflect the evolving global realignment in the wake of the Ukraine conflict, with Russia increasingly positioning itself as a strategic ally to African governments looking beyond Western-led institutions for support and investment.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia says ready to supply LNG to Mexico
By Natalia Siniawski MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Russia is ready to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Mexico and share energy sector technologies, the Russian embassy in Mexico said on Saturday on X. "We are already working with Mexico. We have excellent LNG technologies, and we are ready to share these technologies and supply LNG as well," Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev said. Russia is prepared to offer oil extraction technologies suited for challenging geological conditions, as well as solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of oil processing, the embassy added. Mexico's state oil company Pemex said in May it was working to reopen closed wells to boost production, as it struggles to meet the government's output target of 1.8 million barrels per day. Pemex has more than 30,000 wells across the country, about a third of which are shut. Internal documents reviewed by Reuters show the company is prioritizing wells with the potential to ramp up crude, gas or condensate output, though progress has been slow due to limited funding and aging infrastructure. Mexico meets 72% of its total demand for natural gas through imports, almost entirely from the United States. The fuel is used mainly to generate electricity and for industrial activities, with the vast majority of natural gas imports carried by pipeline.
