Opportunity sectors

Niger has 15 million hectares of arable land and offers strong productivity improvement potential for its main productions.  The Niger labour force in the agricultural sector is young and growing fast.

As the 5th sunniest country in the world, Niger offers unlimited potential in the renewable energy sector (solar, wind and hydraulic).  In addition, thanks to its particularly rich sub-soil, Niger has all forms of fossil fuel at its disposal (oil, gas, coal and uranium). As the 5th sunniest country in the world, Niger offers unlimited potential in the renewable energy sector (solar, wind and hydraulic).  In addition, thanks to its particularly rich sub-soil, Niger has all forms of fossil fuel at its disposal (oil, gas, coal and uranium).

As the world’s 4th largest producer of uranium, Niger has a remarkable mining potential.  The Nigerien sub-soil overflows with large reserves of uranium, coal, iron, gold, phosphate, salt, limestone and gypsum.  Government policy favours the diversification of production, intensification of research and improvement of the institutional environment.  The effective total liberalisation of the sector is also a key factor to encourage private national and international investment. 

In this vast land-locked country (2,500 km distance from East to West and 1,500 km from North to South), the road and rail transport sectors have a key role to play in the economic and social development of the country.  It is for this reason that Niger will give particular consideration to investments in the development of transport infrastructures with ambitious rail and road projects.

Livestock is one of the pillars of the Niger economy.  14% of GDP is generated from the production of livestock: camels, goats, sheep, cattle.  Niger has immense pasturelands and the potential for valorisation and export of meat and leather production is tremendous.

The industrial sector is one of the country’s key economic development levers. Emphasis is put on the transformation and the industrial valorisation of agro-pastoral products with strong potential. Numerous actions have been taken, particularly on an institutional level, to promote industrial development.  One example of this is the creation of the AN2PI (Agence Nationale de Promotion de l’innovation et de la Propriété Industrielle/National Agency for the Promotion of Innovation and Industrial Property).

With its low rate of population density, the urban planning and housing sectors provide many perspectives for investors. In response to the lack of decent housing, many initiatives have already been completed and several renovation programmes are currently in progress in urban areas (Niamey Niala, Zinder Saboua, Diffa Shawa and Taoua Sokola). Development and sanitation of several urban areas and the construction of social housing is also currently underway. 

The national authorities are firmly putting Niger on the path to digital revolution, but demand in terms of ICT remains far from satisfactory, leaving ample room for investment opportunities.

Niger intends to enhance its attractiveness to grow its tourist industry.  Awareness is rapidly increasing on the role of culture and tourism in sustainable development and the fight against poverty, particularly through actions such as conservation, enhancement of heritage, art and craftsmanship. 

The finance sector in Niger is a key driver of economic growth and benefits from the country’s macro-economic stability and the many reforms initiated.  This sector offers a great number of investment opportunities, particularly for the strengthening of the private banking sector.  The CBWAS and the UEMOA Banking Commission regulation frameworks contribute to the attractiveness of this sector for investors.