Niger Expels Three Chinese Oil Executives for Allegedly Infringing Local Labor Laws
Following the expulsion of Chinese executives, Niger Oil Minster Sahabi Oumarou had to intervene to clarify that the Chinese were contravening local laws related to work compensation. In particular, the disparity in pay between expat and local workers was considered excessive and violated the principle of ‘equal pay for equal work.’ Sources close to the case believe the crackdown is actually related to ‘dissatisfaction about project execution and the sharing of benefits.’
Last week, three Chinese nationals were served their marching orders and were given just 48 hours to depart from Niger. Based on official sources, the three Chinese actually all left Niger on Friday 15 March 2025.
The three Chinese nationals were working as management staff of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). In Niger, CNPC is in a JV with the West African Oil Pipeline Company (WAPCo) on the SORAZ oil refinery.
The Niger government also claims the entity owes over USD 100 million in taxes. In 2024, CNPC already presented to the Niger government the sum of USD 400 million as advance payment on future oil exports to China.
Th MoU for the refinery project was signed back in 2023 and the deal was estimated at USD 400 million. The agreement covered the extraction, refining and export of oil from the Agadem field. In order to facilitate the export of oil, Chiina, Niger and Benin concluded an agreement to build a 1,950-kilometer pipeline from Niger to Benin to the tune of USD 4 billion.
In a related move, the Government of Niger closed down the Soluxe Hotel in Niamey which is also owned by CNPC. The official justifications concern ‘discriminatory practices and fiscal irregularities.’
The crackdown appears to be not targeted at Chinese companies only. For instance, Niger recently seized control of the Somair uranium mine, which was formerly under French control. Additionally, Niger has scrapped defense agreements with the USA.
It is worth noting that such moves are not restricted to Niger. Other Sahel countries, such as Mali and Burkina Faso, have employed legal means to seize control of key assets such as gold mines.
The countries of the Sahel region appear to have embarked on a concerted campaign to assert greater control over their mining assets. The Sahel states are of the belief they got the shorter end of the stick and now demands a greater share of the profits.