France is stepping up efforts to secure uranium supplies from southern Africa after losing access to output from Niger, long a key supplier to its nuclear industry, as state-backed group Orano expands exploration and sourcing options across the continent.
Niger, Africa’s second-largest uranium producer, has not supplied France for several years following a 2023 coup and the subsequent nationalisation of Orano’s local subsidiary in June 2025, effectively ending French uranium operations in the country.
The disruption has forced Paris to accelerate diversification of supply for its nuclear fleet, which generated about sixty-eight point one per cent of the country’s electricity in 2025.
Uranium remains a critical input for France’s energy system, and the loss of Niger — previously its second-largest supplier after Kazakhstan — has sharpened the search for alternative sources.
Botswana emerges as long-term prospect
Botswana has come into focus as a potential future supplier, although production there remains years away.
During a recent visit to Paris, President Duma Boko raised opportunities for French mining investment with his counterpart Emmanuel Macron, as interest grows in the country’s estimated uranium reserves of around 800,000 tonnes.
Orano has already secured exploration permits in Botswana and identified the country as a priority for 2026, though any commercial production would likely take years — if not decades — to materialise.
Other international players are also positioning themselves. Australia’s Lotus Resources has advanced its Letlhakane project, which could produce up to 3 million pounds of uranium annually over a decade, according to preliminary studies.
Analysts say Botswana’s potential is significant but remains at an early stage, requiring extensive exploration, feasibility studies and infrastructure development before output can begin.
Namibia offers immediate alternative
In contrast, Namibia represents a more immediate and established option.
The country is the world’s third-largest uranium producer and holds Africa’s largest reserves, making it a key pillar in France’s diversification strategy.
While Orano does not currently operate active mines there, France can source uranium indirectly from companies already producing in Namibia, including Chinese and Australian operators.
Orano also retains ownership of the Trekkopje mine, located near Swakopmund, which has been on care and maintenance since 2012 following a slump in uranium prices.
With global uranium prices nearly doubling since 2023, the company has been reviewing the possibility of restarting operations. Industry estimates suggest the site could operate for around 19 years if reactivated.
Malawi and others re-enter the market
Further afield, Malawi has returned to the uranium market with the restart of the Kayelekera mine in August 2025, also led by Lotus Resources.
The project is targeting annual production of about 2.4 million pounds over 10 years, with first commercial sales expected in the second quarter of 2026.
Although France has no direct presence in Malawi’s uranium sector, output from Kayelekera could enter global supply chains and eventually contribute to European demand through long-term contracts.
Meanwhile, South Africa and Zambia are also being closely watched.
South Africa holds about five per cent of global uranium reserves, though most production is tied to gold mining as a byproduct, limiting standalone uranium development.
In Zambia, projects such as the Muntanga deposit — being developed by Atomic Eagle — could yield around 2.2 million pounds annually over a 12-year lifespan, based on recent feasibility studies.
Strategic shift amid global demand
The shift underscores Africa’s growing importance in global uranium supply chains, particularly as nuclear energy gains renewed attention as a low-carbon power source.
For France, diversifying supply is both an energy security priority and a strategic necessity following its exit from Niger.
Analysts say southern Africa offers a mix of short-term and long-term solutions — from Namibia’s established production to Botswana’s untapped reserves — but caution that bringing new projects online will require time, investment and stable regulatory environments.
Beyond France’s immediate needs, the expansion of uranium projects across the region also presents an opportunity for African countries to attract investment and strengthen their role in the global energy transition.
As exploration accelerates and dormant projects are reassessed, the continent is set to play an increasingly central role in meeting rising global demand for nuclear fuel.
