United States uranium production more than tripled in 2025, but the increase still covered only a small share of the country’s nuclear fuel needs, leaving Washington dependent on imports and increasing the importance of uranium-rich African countries such as Namibia, Niger and South Africa.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, American mines produced 2.1 million pounds of uranium concentrate in 2025, up from 657,000 pounds in 2024 and the highest level since 2017.
Even so, domestic output remains far below demand, with US nuclear operators purchasing 46.9 million pounds in 2025 while only 7% of deliveries came from domestic sources.
The uranium drive also has national-security importance because enriched uranium fuels US nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers, while highly enriched uranium has historically been used in nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, *Reuters* reported that the US had used “virtually all” of some long-range precision missiles during the war with Iran, while Patriot and THAAD stocks were also under pressure.
Although the uranium and weapons shortages are separate, both highlight Washington’s push to strengthen critical energy and defence supply chains.
That wider search for secure supplies is already drawing more attention to Africa, where Namibia, Niger and South Africa hold some of the continent’s largest uranium resources.
Washington’s interest is growing as it looks for more secure supplies and tries to reduce its exposure to parts of the nuclear fuel chain where China has built a strong position.
Namibia is already part of the US supply chain, accounting for 4% of uranium delivered to American nuclear operators in 2025, equivalent to roughly 1.88 million pounds.
Any deeper US push into Namibia will, however, run into strong Chinese competition, with Beijing-linked companies already controlling some of the country’s biggest uranium assets.
The giant Husab mine is 90% owned through Taurus Minerals, backed by China General Nuclear Power Group and the China-Africa Development Fund, while the Rössing mine is majority-controlled by China National Uranium Corporation.
Niger presents a different opportunity. Since the 2023 military takeover, the junta has moved against key French-linked uranium interests and sought greater state control of the sector.
That shift has created uncertainty over how some of the country’s uranium will reach international markets, but it could also open the door to Washington.
The Atlantic noted that *“Niger’s government has been unable to find a way out of an impasse over the stockpile of uranium it seized from the French company Orano. Quiet US mediation on this issue could help resolve it, and in so doing, Washington could advance US interests in the region as well.”*
South Africa is also part of the US uranium supply chain, having supplied 660,000 pounds to American nuclear operators in 2024, although its 2025 volume was withheld for commercial confidentiality.
The US challenge, however, goes beyond securing uranium from mines because the concentrate must first be converted and enriched before it can be used as nuclear fuel, areas where China has already built substantial domestic capacity.
A *Government Accountability Office* report found that the US has lacked the ability to produce enriched uranium that meets certain national-security requirements since 2013, increasing pressure on Washington to rebuild its domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.
In response, the US Department of Energy announced $2.7 billion in January 2026 to expand domestic uranium enrichment capacity and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
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