Niger - Introduction 2025
top of pageBackground: Nomadic peoples from the Saharan north and agriculturalists from the south settled present-day Niger. The Taureg kingdom of Takedda was one of the largest kingdoms in the north and played a prominent role in regional trade in the 14th century. In the south, the primary ethnic groups were the Songhai-Zarma in the west, the Hausa in the center, and the Kanuri in the east. When European colonizers arrived in the 19th century, the region was an assemblage of disparate local kingdoms. In the late 19th century, the British and French agreed to partition the middle regions of the Niger River, and France began its conquest of what would become the colony of Niger. France experienced determined local resistance -- particularly during the Tuareg uprising (1916-1917) -- but established a colonial administration in 1922. After achieving independence from France in 1960, Niger experienced single-party or military rule until 1991, when political pressure forced General Ali SAIBOU to allow multiparty elections. Political infighting and democratic backsliding led to coups in 1996 and 1999. In 1999, military officers restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his presidential term. In 2010, military officers led another coup that deposed TANDJA. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in 2011 and reelected in 2016. In 2021, BAZOUM Mohamed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another. Nonetheless, a military junta led by General Abdourahamane TIANI once again seized power in July 2023, detaining President BAZOUM and announcing the creation of a National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP). Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. It is ranked fourth to last in the world on the UN Development Program's Human Development Index of 2023/2024. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Government continues its attempts to diversify the economy through increased oil production and mining projects. In addition, Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.: In ancient and pre-colonial times, the area of present-day Nigeria was occupied by a variety of ethnic groups with different languages and traditions. These included large Islamic kingdoms such as Borno, Kano, and the Sokoto Caliphate dominating the north, the Benin and Oyo Empires that controlled much of modern western Nigeria, and more decentralized political entities and city states in the south and southeast. In 1914, the British amalgamated their separately administered northern and southern territories into a Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. Nigeria achieved independence from Britain in 1960 and transitioned to a federal republic with three constituent states in 1963 under President Nnamdi AZIKIWE. This structure served to enflame regional and ethnic tension, contributing to a bloody coup led by predominately southeastern military officers in 1966 and a countercoup later that year masterminded by northern officers. In the aftermath of this tension, the governor of Nigeria’s Eastern Region, centered on the southeast, declared the region independent as the Republic of Biafra. The ensuring civil war (1967-1970), resulted in more than a million deaths, many from starvation. While the war forged a stronger Nigerian state and national identity, it contributed to long-lasting mistrust of the southeast’s predominantly Igbo population. Wartime military leader Yakubu GOWON ruled until a bloodless coup by frustrated junior officers in 1975. This generation of officers, including Olusegun OBASANJO, Ibrahim BABANGIDA, and Muhammadu BUHARI, who would all later serve as president, continue to exert significant influence in Nigeria to the present day. Military rule predominated until the first durable transition to civilian government and adoption of a new constitution in 1999. The elections of 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history. National and state elections in 2011 and 2015 were generally regarded as credible. The 2015 election was also heralded for the fact that the then-umbrella opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, defeated the long-ruling (since 1999) People's Democratic Party and assumed the presidency, marking the first peaceful transfer of power from one party to another. Presidential and legislative elections in 2019 and 2023 were deemed broadly free and fair despite voting irregularities, intimidation, and violence. The government of Africa's most populous nation continues to face the daunting task of institutionalizing democracy and reforming a petroleum-based economy whose revenues have been squandered through decades of corruption and mismanagement. In addition, Nigeria faces increasing violence from Islamic terrorism, largely in the northeast, large scale criminal banditry, secessionist violence in the southeast, and competition over land and resources nationwide.
Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north
Major rivers: Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km
Note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth: Niger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 km
Note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
GeographyNote: landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna that is suitable for livestock and limited agriculture
Note: the Niger River enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rainforests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea
top of pagePopulationTotal: 26,342,784 (2024 est.)
Male: 13,056,203
Female: 13,286,581
Total: 236,747,130 (2024 est.)
Male: 119,514,449
Female: 117,232,681
Distribution: majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin, as shown in this population distribution map
Distribution: largest population of any African nation; significant population clusters are scattered throughout the country, with the highest density areas being in the south and southwest, as shown in this population distribution map
Growth rate: 3.66% (2024 est.)
Growth rate: 2.52% (2024 est.)
Languages: Hausa, Zarma, French (official), Fufulde, Tamashek, Kanuri, Gurmancema, Tagdal
Note: represents the most-spoken languages; Niger has 10 national languages: Arabic, Buduma, Fulfuldé, Guimancema, Hausa, Kanuri, Sonay-Zarma, Tamajaq, Tassawaq, and Tubu: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages
Religions: Muslim 95.5%, ethnic religionist 4.1%, Christian 0.3%, agnostics and other 0.1% (2020 est.): Muslim 53.5%, Roman Catholic 10.6%, other Christian 35.3%, other 0.6% (2018 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 49.5% (male 6,567,460/female 6,463,877)
15-64 years: 47.8% (male 6,146,355/female 6,451,574)
65 years and over: 2.7% (2024 est.) (male 342,388/female 371,130)
0-14 years: 40.4% (male 48,856,606/female 46,770,810)
15-64 years: 56.2% (male 66,897,900/female 66,187,584)
65 years and over: 3.4% (2024 est.) (male 3,759,943/female 4,274,287)
Birth rate: 46.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.): 33.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Death rate: 9.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.): 8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Population distribution: majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin, as shown in this population distribution map: largest population of any African nation; significant population clusters are scattered throughout the country, with the highest density areas being in the south and southwest, as shown in this population distribution map
Major urban areasPopulation: 1.437 million NIAMEY (capital) (2023)
Population: 15.946 million Lagos, 4.348 million Kano, 3.875 million Ibadan, 3.840 million ABUJA (capital), 3.480 million Port Harcourt, 1.905 million Benin City (2023)
Drinking water sourceUrban: 11.7% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 59.1% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 51.1% of population (2022 est.)
Urban: 6.3% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 36.5% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 20.4% of population (2022 est.)
top of pageCapitalName: NiameyGeographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E
Time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: the origin of the name is unclear; one of many stories says that an African chief told his seven slaves 'Wa niammane,' meaning 'stay here,' and the name was later shortened to its present form
Name: AbujaGeographic coordinates: 9 05 N, 7 32 E
Time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: the newly built city of Abuja replaced Lagos as the capital city in 1991; Abuja takes its name from a nearby town, now renamed Suleja, that was named after Abu JA ('Abu the Red') in 1828
Administrative divisions: 7 regions (régions, singular - région) and 1 capital district* (communauté urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder: 36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara
Legal systemNote: following the 26 July 2023 military coup, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland assumed control of all government institutions and rules by decree; formerly, mixed system of civil law, based on French civil law, Islamic law, and customary law: mixed system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law
Executive branchChief of state: President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) General Abdourahame TIANI (since 28 July 2023)
Head of government: CNSP Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine ZEINE (since 9 August 2023)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the CNSP
Election/appointment process: the CNSP rules by decree; previously, the president was directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister was appointed by the president, authorized by the National Assembly
Most recent election date: 27 December 2020, with a runoff held on 21 February 2021
2020/2021: Mohamed BAZOUM elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Mohamed BAZOUM (PNDS-Tarrayya) 39.3%, Mahamane OUSMANE (MODEN/FA Lumana Africa) 17%, Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) 9%, Albade ABOUDA (MPR-Jamhuriya) 7.1%, other 27.6%; percent of vote in second round - Mohamed BAZOUM 55.7%, Mahamane OUSMANE 44.3%
2016: ISSOUFOU Mahamadou reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (PNDS-Tarrayya) 48.6%, Hama AMADOU (MODEN/FA Lumana Africa) 17.8%, Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) 11.3%, other 22.3%; percent of vote in second round - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou 92%, Hama AMADOU 8%
Expected date of next election: 2025
Note: deposed president BAZOUM has been under house arrest since a military coup on 26 July 2023
Chief of state: President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023)
Head of government: President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023)
Cabinet: Federal Executive Council appointed by the president but constitutionally required to include at least one member from each of the 36 states
Election/appointment process: president directly elected by qualified-majority popular vote with at least 25% of the votes cast in 24 of Nigeria's 36 states; president elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term)
Most recent election date: 25 February 2023
2023: Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU elected president; percent of vote - Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (APC) 36.6%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 29.1%, Peter OBI (LP) 25.4%, Rabiu KWANKWASO (NNPP) 6.4%, other 2.5%
2019: Muhammadu BUHARI elected president; percent of vote - Muhammadu BUHARI (APC) 53%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 39%, other 8%
Expected date of next election: 27 February 2,027
Note: the president is chief of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green, with an orange disk centered on the white band: three equal vertical bands of green (left side), white, and green
National anthemTitle: 'L'Honneur de la Patrie' (The Honor of the Fatherland)
Lyrics/music: a government-appointed committee wrote both the lyrics and the music
History: adopted 2023; replaced previous national anthem, 'La Nigérienne' (The Nigerien), that was adopted in 1961
Title: 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee'
Lyrics/music: Lillie Jean WILLIAMS/Frances BERDA
History: adopted 2024
Note: Parliament voted in 2024 to revert to the former national anthem used from 1960 to 1978
top of pageReal gdp growth rate: 8.4% (2024 est.); 1.7% (2023 est.); 11.9% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency: 3.4% (2024 est.); 2.9% (2023 est.); 3.3% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real gdp per capita: 8.4% (2024 est.); 1.7% (2023 est.); 11.9% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency: 3.4% (2024 est.); 2.9% (2023 est.); 3.3% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Industries: uranium mining, petroleum, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; rubber products, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel
Industrial production growth rate: 12.1% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency: 2.4% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force: 10.486 million (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work: 113.35 million (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate: 0.4% (2024 est.); 0.5% (2023 est.); 0.5% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment: 3% (2024 est.); 3.1% (2023 est.); 3.9% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment
Exports: $1.223 billion (2023 est.); $1.376 billion (2022 est.); $1.487 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars: $57.536 billion (2024 est.); $60.261 billion (2023 est.); $69.091 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: gold, oil seeds, uranium and thorium ore, radioactive chemicals, refined petroleum (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, gold, fertilizers, cocoa beans (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports: $3.808 billion (2023 est.); $4.194 billion (2022 est.); $4.027 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars: $57.73 billion (2024 est.); $65.423 billion (2023 est.); $77.049 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: rice, aircraft parts, iron structures, refined petroleum, centrifuges (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Commodities: refined petroleum, tanks and armored vehicles, wheat, plastics, cars (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
top of pageNiger - Communication 2025
top of pagetop of pageMilitary expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2024 est.); 2% of GDP (2023 est.); 1.7% of GDP (2022 est.); 1.8% of GDP (2021 est.); 2% of GDP (2020 est.): 0.6% of GDP (2024); 0.7% of GDP (2023 est.); 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.); 0.6% of GDP (2021 est.); 0.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Niger - Transportation 2025
top of pageRailwaysTotal: 3,798 km (2014)
Standard gauge: 293 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Narrow gauge: 3,505 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Note: as of the end of 2018, there were only six operational locomotives in Nigeria primarily used for passenger service; the majority of the rail lines are in a severe state of disrepair and need to be replaced
Niger - Transnational issues 2025
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