Business diplomacy: asymmetry and symmetry of power in negotiations between multi-nationals and governments in the case of Areva and Niger

Abstract

This article is a case study that examines the asymmetry of power between the Government of Niger and Areva concerning the renewal of their partnership, which lasted 40 years. The weakness and instability of the state of Niger, and a deficit in terms of democracy and transparency are factors which long influenced negotiations between the two actors and determined the distribution of power between them. But results show that change because it is the first time that the country has made such a breakthrough in negotiations about its uranium deposits.