1

Official Name

Republic of Niger.

2

Capital

Niamey.

3

Geographical location

Geographic coordinates: 13 31 N; 2 07 E; Located in mid-West Africa sharing land borders with Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Algeria Libya and Chad.

4

Area

12,67,000 sq. kms.

5

Time

GMT + 1 hour (-4.1/2 hours IST)

6

Climate

Sub-Saharan, Arid Tropical (hot, dry and dusty).

7

Currency

CFA Franc (FCFA).

8

Exchange rate

Euro 1 = CFA 656 (approximate).

9

Population

19.24 million (July 2017 estimates) with growth rate of 3.19%.

10

Religion

Over 80% are Muslims. Remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians.

11

Ethnic groups

Hausa (53.1%), Zarma-Songhai (21.2%), Taureg (11%), Fulani (6.5%), Kanuri (5.9%), gurma (0.8%), Arab (0.4%), Toubou (0.4%), and Others (0.9%) – (2006 est).

12

Languages

French, Hausa, Djerma and Tamashek are widely spoken languages.

13

National Day

18 December.

14

Other major towns

Agadez, Arlit, Diffa, Dosso, Konni, Maradi, Tahoua, and Zinder.

15

Form of Government/ Forthcoming election (if any)

Semi-Presidential form of Government. Next elections are due in Feb/Mar 2021.

16

Major political parties

PNDS-Tarrayya (Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism);

MODEN-FA-Lumana (Nigerien Democartic Movement for an African Federation);

MNSD-Nassara (National Movement for a Developing Society);

MPR-Jamhuriya;

MNRD-Hankuri;

MPN-Kishin kassa;

ANDP-Zaman Lahiya;

RSD-Gaskia;

CDS-Rahama;

CPR-Ingantchi;

RDP-Jama’a;

AMEN-AMIN;

ARD; and

UDR-Tabbat.

17

Head of State/Government (Constitutional term, since when)

Mr. Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger.

Constitutional term: 5 years.

Sworn in as President for the second term on 20.4.2016.

18

Head of Government

Mr. Brigi Rafini, Prime Minister

19

GDP

US$ 8.25 billion.

20

GDP Real Growth Rate

5.2%.

21

GDP Per Capita (PPP)

US$ 1,200 (2017 est).

22

Principal natural resources (agricultural and mineral)

Uranium, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Gold, Diamond, Cowpeas, peanuts, millet, sorghum, onion, cassava, rice, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry, etc.

23

Total trade

Exports: US$ 1.177 billion;

Imports: US$ 2.194 billion (2017 est).

24

Exports Partners

France (30%), Thailand (18%), Malaysia (9%), Nigeria (8%), Mali (5%), Switzerland (4%).

25

Import Partners

France (28%), China (14%), Malaysia (5%), Nigeria (5%), Thailand (5%), India (4%).

26

Membership of major multilateral and regional associations/ organisations

UN and its organisations, viz. FAO, IAEA, ICAO, IFAO, ILO, IMF, ITU, UNESCO, UPU, WBG, WIPO, WMO, UNWTO, UNHRC, WHO and UNHCR.

OIC (member of contact group on J&K). Telecom Union of Islamic States.

International Francophone Organisation.

International Migration Organisation (IMO).

Regional organizations viz. ECOWAS, WAEMU, AFDB, CEN-SAD, AU, Liptako-Gourmo Authority, G5 Sahel, Community of Sahel Saharan States, Lake Chad Basin countries, Conseil de L’Entente, Agencies for the Security of Air Navigation (ASECNA).