Niger’s military junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has ordered the expulsion of several Chinese companies and employees working on oil projects within the country.
The decision is seen as a move by Niger to take greater control over its natural resources amid ongoing tensions with foreign partners.
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The expulsion follows a March 2025 dispute over significant pay disparities in the oil sector. Chinese employees were earning an average of $8,678 per month compared to just $1,200 for Nigerien workers in equivalent roles.
Niger’s Oil Minister Sahabi Oumarou highlighted additional grievances, noting an unnecessary number of immigrants in managerial positions while local workers were relegated to lower roles such as operators or laborers.
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This latest action builds on that earlier expulsion of three Chinese oil executives, signaling a broader push to address systemic inequities in foreign-led projects.
Niger’s oil partnership with China dates back to 2008, when a $5 billion agreement was signed to develop oil in the eastern Agadem oilfield.
In April 2024, Niger and the China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) signed a $400 million memorandum of understanding for crude oil shipments from the same oilfield.
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