China’s investment in Niger and the Sahel region in general has gained a notable momentum in the recent years. China has risen to become the second-largest investor in Niger after France, with approximately $1.4 billion in direct investments. These investments which focus on critical sectors like oil, mining and infrastructure render Niger economically and strategically important in China’s eyes. China’s major oil company CNPC, manages Niger’s oil production activities and provides financing for a nearly 2,000 kilometer-long pipeline that extends to Benin. Chinese companies, also operating in uranium mining, hold a strong market share in the region. Within the scope of Chinese investments, notewhile projects in telecommunication, construction and agriculture sectors also came to fruition.
In this point, security issues in the Sahel region leave China’s economic interests at serious risk. Terror attacks, kidnappings and infrastructure sabotage threaten the security of Chinese investments. In a terrorist attack in Mali, in 2015, three Chinese administrators lost their lives, and in Niger, in 2024, a sabotage attack against the oil pipeline happened. Chinese companies operating in the region are trying to overcome these risks by increasing cooperation with the local security forces. Additionally, the Beijing Government is preparing emergency plans through its embassies to protect its citizens.
China took an important step towards strengthening the military ties in the region by appointing a military attaché to Niger for the first time in February 2025. The appointment of Colonel Chen Xuming is a clear sign that China’s security policies in the region has begun to institutionalize. The goal is to foster tighter collaboration with the Nigerien Army in fields such as training, logistical support, and intelligence sharing. China’s move highlights its preparedness to engage militarily if needed, to safeguard its economic interests. The government of Niger has also expressed its view of China as a dependable and committed partner.
The withdrawal of France and the United States from the region has left a significant security gap in the Sahel. France’s decision to pull its troops out of Mali and Niger, combined with the US scaling back its military presence, has created an opportunity for China to expand its military and economic influence. During this period, China has been strengthening its role through defense diplomacy, military training, and offering logistical support to regional security mechanisms. It is also worth noting that Sahel countries are increasingly turning to alternative partners like China and Russia in this new phase.
Political instability, coups, and changes in leadership in the region have occasionally disrupted Chinese investments. For example, after the coup in Niger in 2023, economic sanctions caused temporary delays in some projects. However, the void left by France’s departure has also opened up new opportunities for Chinese companies, particularly in uranium mining. While regional governments sometimes increase pressure on foreign investors, China’s influence in Niger and the Sahel continues to grow overall.
China’s military approach in the region differs from Russia’s direct intervention strategy. Instead of military interventions, China focuses on military training, providing defense equipment, and contributing to UN peacekeeping missions. This allows China to maintain a lower-profile yet effective presence in the region. Additionally, it has started to play a more active role in the regional security architecture by conducting joint military exercises with countries such as Nigeria and Niger.
China’s security strategies in Niger and the Sahel region are expected to become more institutionalized in the upcoming period. In this context, the scope of military attachés and defense diplomacy in the region may expand. It is anticipated that China will strengthen the protection of its investments through unmanned aerial vehicles, armored vehicles, and private security companies. Close cooperation with regional institutions and support for peace efforts will also reinforce China’s strategic position in the region.
The increasing global competition among African countries and their need for China will ensure Beijing’s permanence in the region. Because after Trump was elected president of the USA, USAID aid was completely cut off, and the European Union demanded many conditions for aid to Africa, continental countries are turning to other alternative powers like China, Russia, and India. In this situation, diversifying its investments and making long-term plans are of great importance for the development of Niger and the Sahel countries. In addition to being an economic superpower, China is also in a position to make significant military contributions to the region, making it an important player for the Sahel countries. In this context, it is expected that China will focus more on technology transfer and local capacity development projects to support the region’s economic stability.
In conclusion, China’s appointment of a military attaché to Niger indicates that security policies in the Sahel region are being reshaped and that China is becoming a more active player on the continent and in the region. China, strengthening its security policies to safeguard its economic interests, is also taking on a permanent role in the regional security architecture. This situation could mark the beginning of a significant shift in China’s Africa policy from economic cooperation to security cooperation. At the same time, it is thought that China could assist regional countries in various matters, from providing logistics to military training, in combating terrorism and separatism, which have been the region’s biggest problems for many years.
