Niger

Development cooperation between Luxembourg and Niger dates back to the late 1980s. Until August 2023, four successive Indicative Cooperation Programmes, with increasing financial allocations, reflected the strong and dynamic bilateral partnership between the two nations.

Until summer 2023, LuxDev was active in Niger across various sectors, including water and sanitation, education and training, professional integration and employment, public finance, inclusive finance, and food security. The programmes operated nationwide, with a particular focus on the regions of Dosso, Zinder, and Niamey. They were fully aligned with national strategies and policies and followed an implementation approach that delegated execution to national partners. This was achieved through programme-based approaches and the funding of multi-donor financial mechanisms managed by Niger’s sectoral ministries.

However, following the coup d’état on 26 July 2023, Luxembourg suspended its bilateral cooperation with Niger. As a result, all activities under the fourth Niger-Luxembourg Indicative Cooperation Programme, implemented by LuxDev, were suspended as of 31 July 2023.

Over the past two decades, Niger had made notable progress in social indicators. However, numerous economic, social, environmental, and security challenges continue to hinder the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education and decent employment.

Access to education remains limited, with low enrolment rates and high dropout levels, especially among girls. Youth unemployment and underemployment are prevalent, exacerbated by a labour market that fails to provide sufficient opportunities.

In terms of water and sanitation, access to safe drinking water remains inadequate, particularly in rural areas, while poor sanitation contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases.

Food security is also a critical issue, as reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes the country highly vulnerable to droughts and climate change. Additionally, insecurity and regional conflicts disrupt agricultural production and supply chains.

To address these challenges, structural reforms and investments in education, employment, water infrastructure, and sustainable agriculture are essential to ensure inclusive and resilient development. Strengthening public finance management is also crucial, particularly through the implementation of community-level reforms that promote greater transparency and budgetary efficiency – key elements for effective public policy.

These are precisely the challenges LuxDev’s programmes sought to tackle by supporting sectoral policies and enhancing the capacity of key stakeholders involved in Niger’s development.