(WIPO code: NE) (latest review October 2023)

by CABINET ISIS CONSEILS, Mandataire OAPI, Yaoundé, Cameroon

General Information

Area

1,267,000 sq. km.

Population

25,396,840 (2023).

Capital

Niamey.

Official language

French.

Currency

C.F.A. franc.

Main agricultural and natural products

Grains, manioc, sugar cane, onions, groundnuts, Indian potatoes, farming, fishing.

Main Mineral Products

Uranium, iron, phosphate, gold.

Main exports

Uranium, iron, grains, livestock.

Tourist Industry

Natural reserves; Ténéré; Aïr.

GNI

(per capita): U.S.$ 610 (estimated 2022).

General Remarks

A former French colony, part of French West Africa, the Niger Republic obtained its internal administrative autonomy and became a member of the French Community in 1958 and later achieved its full independence on August 3, 1960.

The economy is agricultural (approximately 90% of the people being dependent thereon). Large areas of the country are desert. Large uranium deposits were discovered in 1961 at Arlit in the northwest of the country. Drought conditions have been widespread for several years.