Latest news with #Nigeriens
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Niger: African Development Bank extends loan of over $144 million to enhance energy access and economic competitiveness
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group ( has approved a loan of $144.27 million to Niger for the first phase of a program that will reform energy sector laws and address the country's critical power shortage. Niger's Energy Sector Governance and Competitiveness Support Program is expected to address governance challenges by strengthening public financial management systems, particularly tax revenue mobilization and tax revenue control system. It will also support the clearance of domestic arrears, public-private dialogue, and the adoption of an industrial and commercial policy to bolster support for Nigerien businesses. "This program represents our commitment to supporting Niger's economic recovery and energy independence," said African Development Bank Director General for West Africa Lamin Barrow. "By improving access to energy and strengthening governance frameworks, we are helping to lay the foundations for sustainable growth that will benefit all Nigeriens, particularly the most vulnerable populations." The Bank's support will underpin ambitious energy objectives, including increasing national electricity access from 22.5% to 30% by 2026 while boosting manufacturing's contribution to GDP from 2.5% to 3.8%. A key component focuses on the renewable energy capacity development framework and includes plans to generate 240 MW of solar energy by 2030, with 50 MW coming onstream before December 2026. The program particularly emphasizes social inclusion, with specific measures to support internally displaced persons, women, and youth. With more than 507,000 internally displaced persons nationwide due to security challenges in the Sahel region, targeted interventions will ensure that vulnerable populations benefit from improved economic opportunities. The Nigerien economy has shown remarkable resilience despite challenges, with GDP growth climbing to 8.8% in 2024, and oil production expected to increase from 20,000 to 90,000 barrels per day by 2026. Still, only 22.5% of the population enjoy access to electricity, one of the lowest rates in West Africa. In rural areas, where 80% of Nigeriens live, only 4.5% have access to electricity, forcing families to rely on biomass for 94% for their energy needs. Niger's strategic energy compact, formally adopted by decree, provides the framework to attract $527 million in private sector investment by 2030. The project will establish high-level coordination mechanisms and update national energy policies to create an enabling environment for private participation in mini-grid developments crucial for rural electrification. The program positions Niger to capitalize on its vast renewable energy potential while building governance systems that support inclusive and sustainable development. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Media Contact: Natalie Nkembuh Communication and External Relations Department media@ About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
DW
4 days ago
- Politics
- DW
What has changed in Niger two years after the coup? – DW – 07/25/2025
As Niger marks two years since the July 26, 2023 coup, the military junta faces a critical test. Has life improved under their rule — or has the promise of change fallen flat? On July 26, 2023, Niger was thrown into political turmoil. A coup d'état was announced on state television just hours after members of the presidential guard detained democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup was led by the head of the presidential guard, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, with support from elements of the nation's armed forces. When he took power two years ago, Tchiani justified the coup by citing growing insecurity, harsh economic conditions, and what he described as excessive influence from Western powers, particularly the country's former colonial ruler, France. Niger has experienced multiple military takeovers in the past, but this time was different: Many citizens took to the streets to show their support for the military leaders. But in the two years that followed, some analysts say little has changed for the better. "In some cases, the situation has worsened," Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar, executive director of the West African Center for Counter Extremism, told DW. With the events of July 26, Niger joined the ranks of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, which were already under military rule. In early 2024, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS. The move marked a major shift in the region, deepening the divide between the military-led governments and the bloc pushing for a return to civilian rule. Niger's current leadership has forced many nongovernmental organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) — which had been assisting more than 2 million people affected by armed conflict — to shut down operations. For some Nigeriens, especially those who lost their jobs following the leadership change, life has become more difficult. "Right now, I'm suffering. It's been a year since we stopped," said Souley, 35, who lost his job as a nutrition researcher at a local NGO after the coup, in an interview with DW. Mahamane, 32, also lost his job as an assistant coordinator at an NGO based in Tillabéri. "Right after the coup, funds weren't coming in regularly, and our activities were delayed," he said. "Finally, they decided to stop funding altogether.' "There is a very constricted space for civil society or NGO work, so there are a lot of job losses in that space," said Muqthar from the West African Center for Counter Extremism. "That implies you'll have a situation where there is significant pressure among youth, and that can lead to unrest in that part of the country." Niger already struggles with high levels of youth unemployment. In 2023, the International Labour Organization estimated that about 23% of Nigeriens between the ages of 15 and 29 were unemployed — one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Africa. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have accused the junta of cracking down on freedom of the press and expression in the media and civil society. Ilaria Allegrozzi, seniorSahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, said freedom of expression has been deteriorating in the country. "Since the coup d'état two years ago, authorities have shown a high level of intolerance. They have cracked down on the opposition, the media and civil society, and they are clearly rejecting any transition back to civilian democratic rule,' Allegrozzi told DW. "They have arbitrarily detained former President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife for two years. They have also arbitrarily arrested and detained dozens of other officials from the ousted government — people close to the former president, including ministers. And they have failed to grant them due process and fair trial rights,' she added. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video In its 2025 State of the World's Human Rights report, Amnesty International said Nigerhas routinely violated "human rights to information and freedom of expression.' Although about 50 detainees were released from prison in April, the organization said "several others still languish behind bars on politically motivated charges.' In January 2024, the Press House (Maison de la Presse) — an umbrella group of 32 media organizations — was suspended and replaced by an ad hoc committee headed by the secretary-general of the Ministry of the Interior, according to According to Amnesty International. In March, the leader of Niger'smilitary government, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, was sworn in for a five-year term under a new charter that replaced the country's constitution. For many, it signaled that a return to civilian democratic rule is unlikely to happen anytime soon. "In the beginning, we were talking about three years; now we are talking about five years. It's an indication that this regime is seeking to stay much longer than expected. And it is my estimation that they are probably going to stay much longer than even five years,' Muqthar told DW. Efforts by ECOWAS to help Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali transition back to civilian rule have so far failed.
Maroc
02-07-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Alliance of Sahel States Hails HM the King's Initiatives for Africa's Development
The foreign ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES - Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) on Tuesday in Seville praised Morocco's efforts, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to support Africa's development. In remarks to the press on the sidelines of the 4th United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development, the top diplomats of the AES countries paid tribute to His Majesty the King for his sustained commitment to the development of the Sahel, and in particular, for the Royal Initiatives promoting economic and social progress in the region. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Niger's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad, highly praised the Kingdom of Morocco's support, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, for South-South cooperation for the benefit of Africa. The Nigerien foreign minister highlighted the Royal Initiative aimed at granting Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean, calling it a 'boon' for the four landlocked nations (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) enabling them to integrate into the global market. He also emphasized Morocco's key role in financing investments across Africa, developing skills and improving youth employability on the continent. For his part, Burkina Faso's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, said Morocco is a pioneering actor in South-South cooperation and plays a central role in strengthening ties among African countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. He noted that the first South-South development projects were initiated and funded by the Kingdom of Morocco. 'The Royal Initiative to facilitate Sahel countries' access to the Atlantic Ocean aligns with the development needs of our countries, as it allows us to overcome landlocked constraints and connect with the international market,' he said. Echoing this view, Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, stressed the importance for AES member countries to access international markets to transform their economies, improve citizens' lives and foster regional security. 'There can be no development without security, which is why it is urgent to combat terrorism and its sources of financing,' he stated. MAP: 01 July 2025
Morocco World
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Algeria Expelled Nearly 5,000 African Migrants to Niger Since Early April
Doha – Algeria has expelled 4,975 African migrants to neighboring Niger since early April, exacerbating already strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to Niger's state television. 'Algeria, as is its habit, in defiance of African and international laws and conventions, has undertaken to expel thousands of African nationals, including Nigeriens, from its territory,' Télé Sahel, Niger's state television station, declared earlier this week. Between April 1-21, Algerian authorities forced out 2,753 Nigerien citizens, including 308 minors and 196 women, according to security officials in Assamaka, a Nigerien town on the Algerian border. These migrants arrived by what are termed 'official convoys' – transported in vehicles and received by local authorities under bilateral agreements. During the same period, an additional 2,222 'pedestrian deportees' reached Assamaka, including 146 Nigeriens and 2,076 foreigners from other African countries. These individuals were abandoned at 'point zero,' a desert area marking the border, forcing them to walk approximately 15 kilometers in extreme weather conditions to reach Assamaka. 'If we're not careful, the severity of this humanitarian crisis could transform into a catastrophe,' warned Télé Sahel. The channel broadcast footage showing exhausted migrants arriving in Assamaka with injuries to their feet from walking and wounds on their arms and faces allegedly inflicted by Algerian security forces. Read also: New York Times Unmasks 'Hell' of Algeria's Mass Deportation Campaign The expulsions come amid deteriorating relations between Algeria and the Sahel states. Recently, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – recalled their ambassadors from Algeria after accusing Algerian forces of shooting down a Malian drone. Algeria has rejected these accusations, claiming it shot down an armed surveillance drone that had violated its airspace. 'The case of deportees we receive from Algeria is a situation that disturbs the security balance of Niger,' stated General Mohamed Toumba, Niger's Interior Minister, in late January. He requested that the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) help return migrants to their countries of origin. Diplomatic tensions between the two countries intensified last year when Niger's military authorities summoned the Algerian ambassador to protest against the 'violent nature' of these deportation operations. Algeria responded by summoning Niger's ambassador and dismissing the allegations as 'unfounded.' Since 2014, irregular migrants from Niger and other African countries, including women and minors, have been regularly expelled from Algeria, which serves as a transit point to Europe. More than 31,000 migrants were deported from Algeria to Niger in 2024, a record number according to the Nigerien NGO Alarme Phone Sahara. Some reports suggest Algeria's increased deportations may be linked to negotiations for diplomatic relations with Israel by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as well as a possible retaliation for Niger's solidarity with Mali in the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Algeria and the AES countries.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Niger junta frees ministers of overthrown government
Niger's junta said Tuesday it had freed around 50 people, including ministers from the government it toppled in July 2023, in line with recommendations of a "national conference" in February. Those freed include former ministers, a diplomat, a journalist and soldiers accused of a coup bid in 2010. However ousted former president Mohamed Bazoum is still in detention despite international calls for his release. "These individuals are being released in accordance with the recommendations of the National Forum for Reconstruction," the government's general secretariat said in a statement read on public television. Those released include former oil minister Mahamane Sani Issoufou, the son of ex-president Mahamadou Issoufou who was in power for a decade from 2011, ex-defence minister Kalla Moutari, former finance minister Ahmat Jidoud, and former energy minister Ibrahim Yacoubou. The president of the PNDS former ruling party, Foumakoye Gado, and journalist Ousmane Toudou are also among those freed along with Alat Mogaskia, former ambassador to Nigeria. They were arrested after the coup that brought to power General Abdourahamane Tiani, former head of the presidential guard, and were being held in various prisons, notably for "conspiracy to undermine the security and authority of the state". Similar charges are pending against former president Bazoum, whose immunity was lifted without a trial date being set. Soldiers previously convicted of coup bids or "endangering state security" were also released, including general Salou Souleymane, former chief of staff, and three other officers sentenced in 2018 to up to 15 years in prison for trying to overthrow president Issoufou in 2015. - 'Forgiveness' - The national conference held in February strengthened the ruling junta by authorising Tiani to remain in power in Niger for the next five years. "I wish to reiterate my commitment to always work for forgiveness and reconciliation among Nigeriens," junta leader Tiani declared after his inauguration as president last week. "The forgiveness and reconciliation we call for cannot conflict with the legitimate aspirations of Nigeriens for justice." Since coming to power, Niger's military rulers have severed relations with France and expelled French and American soldiers engaged in a battle against jihadists. They have also left organisations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). At the same time it has moved closer to its two neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, both governed by military leaders and facing the same deadly jihadist attacks. Together they have formed a group known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and strengthened ties with Russia. Their three foreign ministers are expected in Moscow on Thursday and Friday for talks with their Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. bh/ach/jfx/rsc
