Turkey and Niger have significantly strengthened their relationship, agreeing to expand cooperation in vital sectors like energy, mining, intelligence sharing, and defense.
This development comes after Niger severed ties with Western nations, expelling military personnel and terminating mining contracts.
On Wednesday, a high-level Turkish delegation led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Niger’s capital, Niamey.
The delegation included the Defense Minister, Energy Minister, and the head of Turkey’s intelligence agency.
They met with their Nigerien counterparts as well as General Abdourahmane Tiani, the leader who took power in a military coup last year.
Niger’s shift towards Turkey follows its dismissal of Western military forces and termination of security agreements with the European Union.
This move by the junta led by General Tiani signaled a significant change in the country’s foreign policy.
The discussions between Turkish and Nigerien officials focused on bolstering cooperation in multiple areas.
These included intelligence sharing, crucial for regional security, and defense collaboration, which could involve military training and equipment.
The visit also yielded economic benefits for both nations. Turkey and Niger signed a declaration to encourage Turkish companies to invest in developing Niger’s oil and gas reserves.
Niger, rich in natural resources, boasts Africa’s highest-grade uranium ore and ranks as the world’s seventh-largest producer of the element.
However, Turkey has clarified that it doesn’t intend to source uranium from Niger for its nuclear power plant under construction.
