TOPIC

/ location

Niger

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Niger. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Niamey

Head of State

General Abdourahamane (Omar) Tchiani

Head of Government

Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou

Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger. Gunfire and explosions were heard on Saturday morning in Niger’s capital, Niamey, including around a military base near the city’s airport. Photo: AFP

Africa

Soldiers’ mutiny rocks Niger capital, but junta says back in control

Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta that has struggled to contain jihadist violence.

29 Aug 2026 - 11:42PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese green tea is bringing people together in West Africa, 3 cups at a time

20 Aug 2026 - 12:00PM

China-Africa relations

Is China’s risk tolerance reaching its limit with pause of African mine deal?

23 Jun 2026 - 3:00PMvideocam

Africa

Al-Qaeda-linked militants claim deadly attack on airport in Niger’s capital

Security forces kill 22 assailants to repel a heavy morning raid on Diori Hamani International Airport.

19 Jun 2026 - 6:00PM

In January, the airport and an adjoining military drone base were targeted in an attack. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via AFP

China-Africa relations

How China will play a major role in Benin’s economic growth as a new era begins

African nation’s new president is banking on Chinese investment to help fix its infrastructure gap with large-scale construction projects.

31 May 2026 - 4:15PM

China-Africa relations

As France tries to reset relations with Africa, China’s influence looms large

Paris pitches a €23 billion investment ‘jolt’ to win over countries like Kenya after losing ground in the Sahel.

23 May 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

Africa

Mali’s junta in crisis as defence minister is killed in massive coordinated attacks

Rebel-jihadist offensive leaves Bamako on edge as territory falls and junta leader Assimi Goita remains out of sight.

27 Apr 2026 - 4:00PM

A Malian soldier during an attack on Kati outside the capital Bamako. Photo: Reuters

Africa

Mali junta reports ‘terrorist’ attacks on several targets

The landlocked West African nation has been ruled by the military since a coup in 2020.

25 Apr 2026 - 9:19PM

China-Africa relations

War of words: China and the US battle it out for African hearts and minds

Rivalry between two global superpowers spills into the media as East meets West head-on in a clash of narratives to win over the continent.

12 Apr 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Oil exploration investments across Africa declined after many Western oil majors retreated from long-term fossil investments, according to the African Petroleum Producers Organization. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

China’s new security era in Africa: protecting assets, citizens in volatile nations

Analysts say China’s five-year plan suggests layered security, and PLA training to protect diplomats, nationals and assets from terror hits.

15 Mar 2026 - 9:01PMvideocam

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, whose visit to Somalia in January was cancelled over safety concerns, has highlighted the “complex and severe risks of terrorism”. Photo: EPA

China-Africa relations

Why Beijing’s US$4.5 billion Niger-Benin oil pipeline is under fire from rebels

Chinese nationals warned to avoid high-risk areas after infrastructure becomes a primary target for rebels seeking to halt military junta.

27 Feb 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

How a ‘military vacuum’ in West and Central Africa opened new markets for China

Beijing has increased engagement with countries in the Sahel following the French military exit, and with Russian weapons in short supply.

15 Feb 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Africa

Islamic State claims bold attack on Niger’s strategic airport hub

Islamic State militants claim a coordinated raid on Niamey’s airport, targeting a strategic hub hosting uranium and regional military bases.

31 Jan 2026 - 12:32AM

The Niamey airport in Niger, where damage is visible on the roofs of hangars on Thursday. Photo: 2026 Planet Labs PBC/AFP

Africa

Niger’s junta accuses foreign leaders of sponsoring airport attack

Niger’s military ruler vows retaliation after gunmen attack an air force base before being repelled by Russian fighters.

30 Jan 2026 - 2:29PM

A satellite image shows roadblocks at the entrance of Diori Hamani International Airport. Photo: Vantor via Reuters

China-Africa relations

Chinese workers return to Africa as lucrative job opportunities beckon

Large-scale, China-backed projects entice contract workers to take up posts in some African nations, while political instability keeps others away.

21 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

France

African teen who raised Macron’s ire with fake French coup video has no regrets

The Burkinabe teen said he had posted the fake video as a way to make money but despite millions of views, only earned US$8.

20 Dec 2025 - 11:06AMvideocam

China-Africa relations

How will China respond to latest West Africa coup as economic footprint expands?

Ouster of Guinea-Bissau leader Umaro Sissoco Embalo has sparked political instability fears, raising stakes for Chinese economic interests.

14 Dec 2025 - 6:35PMvideocam

Then president of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Chinese ambassador Yang Renhuo inspect China-donated airport security equipment, in the capital Bissau on November 21. Embalo was ousted in a military coup days later. Photo: Xinhua

China-Africa relations

China arms Burkina Faso as Sahel turns away from Western security promises

As region’s security ties with US, France unravel, China steps in to fill the void and position itself for greater influence in the Sahel.

16 Aug 2025 - 7:00PMvideocam

United States

US$5.3 million Mars meteorite caught up in row over who owns it

Sotheby’s insists the rock was exported legally but Niger, where the meteorite was found, is investigating the sale.

13 Aug 2025 - 3:51PM

Aviation accidents

Ghana defence and environment ministers killed in helicopter crash

A total of three crew and five passengers died after the aircraft dropped off the radar and went down in a heavily forested area.

7 Aug 2025 - 12:15PM

People work at the site of a military helicopter crash in Sikaman near Adansi, in Ghana’s Ashanti region on Wednesday. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

Routine or rising tensions? Chinese ambassadors in exodus from West Africa

Observers suggest the recent departure of several Chinese ambassadors could be a ‘subtle message’ to Sahelian regimes.

22 Jun 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

The Chinese embassy in Mali bids farewell to ambassador Chen Zhihong and his wife earlier this month. Photo: Handout

China-Africa relations

China calls on Niger to tackle disputes with energy firms through dialogue

It comes as tensions have been rising over Chinese oil operations, as ruling junta pursues strategy of resource nationalisation.

13 Jun 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Are China-Niger ties a test for Beijing’s cornerstone non-interference policy?

‘Strengthening a regime is, in effect, a form of internal interference,’ says analyst.

10 Jun 2025 - 6:43PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Why China is working so hard to boost military ties in Africa’s Sahel region

The appointment of China’s new defence attaché to Niger signals a larger move by Beijing to fortify security in Africa, experts say.

25 Feb 2025 - 9:00AMvideocam

Colonel-Major Chen Xuming, China’s first ever defence attaché to Niger, is welcomed at a reception in Niamey on February 8. Photo: Handout

Africa

Putin promises Africa ‘total support’ in anti-West pitch

Facing isolation from the west over its invasion of Ukraine, Russia sought to woo African countries at a Black Sea resort this weekend.

10 Nov 2024 - 11:26PM

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (centre) attends the ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa partnership forum at Sirius University in Sochi on Sunday. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

China key to solving Niger-Benin tensions – so oil pipeline can start pumping

China has invested billions in Niger’s oil industry. Now it must solve a political spat if it wants to see any money back.

13 Jul 2024 - 1:00PMvideocam

China-Africa relations

Niger was betting on China-backed oil pipeline as lifeline. Then trouble began

A China-backed pipeline that would make Niger an oil-exporting country is being threatened by an internal security crisis and a diplomatic dispute with neighbouring Benin.

24 Jun 2024 - 11:45AMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW