Niger Orders Expulsion of Foreign Oil Workers Over Labour Violations, Demands Local Employment Compliance

The Nigerien government has ordered the China National Petroleum Corporation Niger Petroleum (CNPCNP) to terminate the contracts of expatriate employees who have worked in the country for more than four years, citing violations of national labour laws and local content regulations.

In a letter dated May 8, 2025, addressed to CNPCNP’s Chairman and CEO, Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Sahabi Oumarou directed that the affected expatriates must leave the country by May 31. Under national law, expatriates are permitted to work for a maximum of one year in foreign companies operating in Niger. This rule is intended to promote the recruitment and development of local labour.

Authorities said the Chinese expatriates in question, who have exceeded the one-year limit and remained in post for over four years, have been declared persona non grata.

The measure is part of the enforcement of the Local Content Ordinance adopted in August 2024, which requires companies in the mining and hydrocarbon sectors to prioritise the employment of Nigerien nationals, the use of local goods and services, and the transfer of technology to strengthen domestic capacity.

Officials accused CNPCNP of failing to meet these requirements, maintaining significant wage disparities between Chinese and Nigerien staff, and keeping strategic assets, such as the Zinder refinery, under exclusive foreign control.

The government has also called on the company to revise its wage structure, increase local contract awards, ensure greater state involvement in the Niger-Benin pipeline project managed by WAPCO, and appoint Nigerien nationals to senior executive roles.

The expulsion order follows measures to assert national sovereignty and ensure that foreign investments benefit the local economy.

In March 2025, three Chinese oil executives were expelled for similar violations, and the Chinese-owned Soluxe Hotel in Niamey was shut down over tax and discrimination issues.

CNPCNP confirmed it had received the government’s notice and stated via social media that it is in “positive dialogue” with the Ministry of Petroleum to discuss the implementation of the directive.

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