France is ramping up efforts to secure uranium supplies from Botswana as it grapples with the fallout from losing access to key assets in Niger, marking a significant pivot in Europe’s nuclear energy strategy. State-backed nuclear giant Orano is spearheading this shift with a diplomatic and commercial push into the southern African nation.
Botswana holds an estimated 800,000 tonnes of uranium reserves, including the vast Letlhakane deposit, one of the world’s largest undeveloped resources. With diamond revenues declining, the country is eager to diversify its mining sector, positioning itself as a potential uranium powerhouse. Orano has already secured exploration licences spanning 15,000 square kilometres in the Ghanzi district, signaling France’s urgency to lock in new supply chains.
This move follows a sharp deterioration in relations with Niger, where Orano previously held a 63.4% stake in the SOMAIR uranium mine before its nationalization by the military junta after the 2023 coup. The conflict left approximately 1,500 metric tons of uranium, worth nearly $270 million, stranded at the site, while shipments from the Arlit region proceeded without Orano’s oversight, sparking safety and legal concerns.
Beyond Botswana, France is broadening its uranium strategy, with President Emmanuel Macron advocating for increased imports from Kazakhstan, which supplies about 40% of global production. At the same time, global competition for uranium is intensifying, underscored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s $2.7 billion program to expand enrichment capacity, including funding for Orano’s subsidiary in Tennessee.
Botswana’s path to becoming a uranium supplier faces hurdles, including infrastructure gaps and regulatory delays, despite discussions dating back to 2009. Yet momentum is growing, with the country deepening ties to international nuclear bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency.
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