Niger expelled three Chinese oil executives in response to concerns over significant salary gaps between expatriate and local workers, Oil Minister Sahabi Oumarou confirmed.
The expelled officials were directors of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), West African Oil Pipeline Company (WAPCo), and the SORAZ refinery.
The move follows a previous order from Niger’s junta for the officials to leave within 48 hours.
Oumarou expressed dissatisfaction with the unequal distribution of wealth between Niger and its foreign partners.
He revealed that Chinese employees in Niger earned an average of $8,678 per month, while their Nigerien counterparts made only $1,200 for the same roles.
The minister also pointed out the disproportionate number of expatriates in management positions, leaving locals to fill lower-paying roles.
Despite multiple attempts to address these issues, the disparities persisted, leading to the expulsions.
“We remain open to discussions,” Oumarou stated, emphasizing a willingness to engage in dialogue over the matter.
The Chinese companies involved, CNPC and WAPCo, did not respond to requests for comment, and SORAZ could not be reached.
This move is part of a broader trend in the Sahel region, where countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are seeking to assert more control over their natural resources.
Niger’s partnership with China began in 2008, with a landmark $5 billion agreement to develop oil reserves in the east.
