Niger’s military government has expelled three Chinese oil executives and shut down a Chinese-owned hotel, according to local media reports and an official decree issued on Friday.
Authorities reportedly gave the managers from China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), refining company Soraz, and pipeline operator Wapco just two days to leave the country. While no official reason was cited, online commentator Ibrahim Bana, who is close to the regime, claimed the executives had disregarded government demands to ensure Nigeriens benefited from the nation’s oil extraction.
Separately, the tourism ministry revoked the licence of the four-star Soluxe International Hotel, accusing the Chinese-owned business of “discriminatory practices” and fiscal violations. Opened in 2015, the hotel mainly housed employees of the three affected companies.
Since seizing power in 2023, Niger’s military rulers have pledged to assert greater control over the country’s mining and oil revenues. In February, Petrol Minister Sahabi Oumarou demanded a plan to secure positions for Nigerien executives at Soraz and salary guarantees for local workers, highlighting wage disparities between Nigerien and foreign employees.
Niger, which produces oil but refines only a small portion domestically, has been facing a severe petrol shortage since the beginning of March.
