Mali and Niger are intensifying efforts to regulate Chinese investments in their extractive industries, demanding stricter compliance with local laws and a more equitable share of economic benefits. Both countries, now under military-led governments, are asserting greater control over their natural resources to maximize national revenue and address long-standing grievances over foreign exploitation.
In Mali, authorities are cracking down on illegal mining operations involving Chinese nationals. On March 25, Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maïga summoned Chinese Ambassador Chen Zhihong for high-level discussions with government officials. The Malian government has ordered an immediate suspension of all illegal mining activities, revoked artisanal mining permits previously granted to foreign nationals, and proposed closer coordination with the Chinese embassy to enhance oversight. This comes in response to a tragic mining accident on February 17 in Bilalikoto, which claimed 48 lives, underscoring the urgent need for stricter regulations in the sector.
Meanwhile, Niger has introduced sweeping reforms targeting the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), accusing the company of neglecting local content policies and favoring foreign workers over Nigeriens. The government has revoked the license of the Chinese-owned Soluxe International Hotel, enforced salary standardization, and mandated the “Nigerization” of key positions within Chinese firms. A revised subcontracting policy has also been implemented to prioritize local businesses. These changes are based on Ordinance No. 2024-34, which requires foreign companies to appoint Nigerien representatives and increase local employment quotas.
Since the military takeovers in Mali (2020) and Niger (2023), both nations have pursued policies of economic sovereignty, aiming to reduce dependence on dominant foreign players while ensuring that resource extraction directly benefits their economies.
In response to Mali’s latest regulatory push, Chinese Ambassador Chen Zhihong has proposed a bilateral coordination mechanism to prevent future disputes and improve investment oversight. However, with growing nationalist sentiment and increasing scrutiny of foreign enterprises, Chinese companies operating in the region may face even stricter regulations in the coming months.
