Several Nigerien media reported that authorities had given two days' notice to leave the country to the Chinese managers from the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), which is drilling for crude in the country, the refining company Soraz and pipeline operator Wapco.

The reports cited no reason for the move but an online commentator close to the regime, Ibrahim Bana, said the executives had "ignored" the authorities' demands for measures to ensure Nigeriens benefit from the oil extraction.

Separately, a decree from the tourism ministry, seen by AFP, revoked the licence for the four-star Soluxe International hotel, accusing the Chinese-owned business of "discriminatory practices" and fiscal irregularities.

The hotel opened in 2015 and mostly houses workers for the three companies targeted by the expulsions.

The military regime took power in Niger in a coup in 2023 and has vowed to secure revenues from its mining and oil resources.

Petrol minister Sahabi Oumarou in February demanded a plan to secure positions in Soraz for Nigerien executives and salary guarantees for Nigerien workers, complaining that local employees were paid less than foreigners.

Niger -- which produces oil but refines only a small amount of it -- has been grappling since the start of the month with an unprecedented petrol shortage.