Turkey Announces First Overseas Gold Production Project in Niger

West Africa WeeklyNovember 10, 20253 Mins read7

Turkey is set to begin its first-ever overseas gold production in the Republic of Niger, a move that signals the country’s growing ambition to secure its place in the global mining landscape and reduce its dependence on imported resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced the milestone last week while addressing parliament’s Planning and Budget Committee. He confirmed that the first phase of operations in Niger has been completed, and shipments of machinery and materials are already underway.

For Turkey, this is more than just an investment abroad; it’s a strategic play to rebalance its economic vulnerabilities. The country imported about $24 billion worth of gold last year, a major contributor to its widening current account deficit. By moving into production overseas, Ankara aims to control a greater portion of the value chain, from exploration to refining, and ultimately to trade.

This marks a new era for Turkey’s mining industry, Bayraktar said, noting that the Niger project will be followed by other exploration efforts in Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan.

Why Niger Matters

Niger has long been known for its uranium, but in recent years, the Sahel nation has shifted its focus to gold, one of the region’s most sought-after commodities. The government has been actively reforming its mining sector to attract investors and keep more of the value from its natural resources within the country.

Earlier this year, Niger signed a deal with Suvarna Royal Gold Trading LLC, a UAE-based company, to build its first gold refinery and gemstone-processing plant. The agreement marked the government’s push to stop exporting raw minerals and instead refine them locally.

New regulations now allow the Nigerien state to take up to a 40 per cent stake in mining ventures, while also mandating stricter environmental safeguards and local training programs.

For Turkey, the country offers both potential and opportunity: vast untapped gold reserves, relatively low entry costs, and a government eager for foreign partnerships. Turkish engineering company MEKA Global has already begun deploying heavy machinery and processing plants at the site, signalling that the groundwork for full production is underway.

Beyond Gold: Strategy and Influence

Turkey’s venture in Niger is part of a larger pattern. Over the past decade, Ankara has strengthened its economic and diplomatic ties across Africa, establishing embassies, setting up trade councils, and providing technical assistance in infrastructure and mining. Gold, in this sense, is both an economic and geopolitical statement.

By positioning itself in resource-rich African markets, Turkey is diversifying its global influence beyond traditional allies and competitors. It joins a growing list of countries, including China, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates, that are looking to invest in Africa’s mining potential while also shaping its industrial future.

Turkey’s move into Niger’s mining sector is not just about minerals, said a senior analyst at the Ankara-based Energy Economics Institute. It’s about establishing long-term strategic presence on the continent, in an era where energy security and raw material access are defining global power.

The Local Picture

In Niger, the deal has been received with a mix of optimism and caution. The government views Turkish investment as a validation of its new mining framework. Still, civil society groups have warned against replicating the extractive patterns of the past, where foreign companies profited while local communities remained impoverished.

Officials insist this time will be different. A portion of the revenue from new mining ventures is slated to fund the Mining Development Fund, which aims to build roads, schools, and hospitals in mining regions. Training programs for local engineers and technicians are also part of the partnership agreements.

Still, the challenges are significant. Niger’s mining regions are often remote, with limited infrastructure and ongoing security concerns tied to armed groups in the Sahel. Success will depend on whether Ankara and Niamey can navigate these realities while ensuring transparency and community engagement.

A Gold Gamble

Turkey’s first overseas gold production marks a turning point for both nations. For Ankara, it’s a step toward becoming a producer rather than just a consumer of gold, an effort to strengthen its currency and stabilise its trade balance. For Niger, it’s a chance to redefine how it benefits from its mineral wealth.

If successful, the partnership could establish a new model for cross-continental resource collaboration, one that combines foreign expertise with local value addition. However, as the world has often seen, mining promises are easier to declare than to deliver.

In the coming months, attention will turn to the desert fields of Niger, where trucks bearing Turkish machinery and workers signal not just the start of gold production, but the beginning of a new chapter in Africa-Turkey relations.