Niger

Niger is a beneficiary of the EU's "Everything but Arms" (EBA) scheme for least developed countries. According to the World Bank classification, Niger is a low-income economy with a per-capita income of $ 580 in 2022. Overall imports from Niger decreased by 50% since 2020 and amounted to EUR 8 million in 2022. Preferential imports from Niger, on the other hand, were comparatively stable and summed up to €3.5 million (2022).

What is the EBA?

The “Everything but Arms”(EBA) scheme is a permanent arrangement covering Least Developed Countries (LDC’s) as classified by the United Nations. This arrangement enables duty-free and quota-free access for all products (7200 products in total) originating in LDC’s except for arms and ammunition. Different from the Standard GSP and GSP+, LDC’s are not excluded from the scheme if they benefit from other preferential arrangements.

Niger flag

At a glance: EBA beneficiaries' preferential imports to the EU

group

26,21 M

Population

account_balance
Semi-Presidential Republic

Government

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11.50%

GDP Growth

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6.60%

Inflation

money

$ 15,34 B

GDP

33 v

Freedomhouse index

3 -

ITUC Global Rights Index

37.7 ^

Environmental Performance Index

Facts about Niger's economy

Landlocked Economy

Niger is a landlocked economy located in Western Africa. Most of the country is covered by desert. Southern parts consist of savannah landscape.

Export Products

Niger's most important export products are gold, palm oil, rice, uranium, as well as medium and light oils.

Trade Partners

Niger's most important trading partners are China, the EU, and Thailand, which together account for about 63% of overall trade. The EU is the most important export market for products from Niger, followed by Mali and Burkina Faso. On the other hand, China is the largest source of imports, with a share of 33.4%, with the EU ranking second (19.6%).

Economic Structure

Agriculture stands at the centre of Niger's economy; it contributes the largest share to the GDP and employs the majority of the workforce. Peanuts, cotton and pulses, millet and sorghum are the most important crops. The production of uranium is another important pillar of the economy, and with a production of 2,020t (2022) Niger is the world’s seventh largest producer.

Uranium Deposits

Niger possesses Africa's highest-grade uranium ores, and is one of the main exporters of uranium to Europe.

Trade with the EU

Total trade with the EU amounted to € 549 million in 2022. With a share of 21.1%, the EU is Niger's most important trading partner after China. 33.3% of export products from Niger go to the European market, while 19.6% of imports originate from the EU.

Niger and the EU (2022)

Imports from Niger by product section

Imports from Niger over time (in € m)

NIGER AND THE EU’s GSP

Economic Impact

53%

Over half of Niger's exports to the EU market are eligible for EBA preferences.

79.80%

Niger currently has a high preference utilisation rate of 80%.

Preference utilisation and export diversification

Niger's imports to the EU

Preference Utilisation vs. total eligible imports

Imports from Niger predominantly come from the agricultural sector but also include pearls, stones and precious metals. These two product groups account for almost all preferential imports under the EBA. Headgear, leather articles and manufacturers are also eligible under the EBA, but were not exported using EBA preferences.

The largest product sections under EBA

EBA preferences are only being used for two product sections. Agricultural products are, by far, the largest section, accounting for 78% of preferential imports. Pearls and precious metals and articles of stone account for smaller shares. Despite the high concentration on a limited number of products, Niger takes good advantage of the preferences granted under the EBA. Overall, however, the number of product sections traded under the EBA has been declining in recent years.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The preferential access to the EU market granted by the EBA scheme is not bound to the ratification of international conventions. Niger maintains a very high level of ratification and has ratified 14 out of 15 core international conventions on human rights and good governance. Additionally, Niger has ratified 8 conventions on environmental protection and 4 good governance conventions.

Core international conventions on human rights and labour standards

Ratified

  • International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1969)
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976)
  • International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (1976)
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1981)
  • Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1987)
  • Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990)
  • Convention concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour, No 29 (1930)
  • Convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, No 87 (1948)
  • Convention concerning the Application of the Principles of the Right to Organise and to Bargain Collectively, No 98 (1949)
  • Convention concerning Equal Remuneration of Men and Women Workers for Work of Equal Value, No 100 (1951)
  • Convention concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour, No 105 (1957)
  • Convention concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation, No 111 (1958)
  • Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, No 138 (1973)
  • Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, No 182 (1999)

Not Ratified

  • Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)

Additional Conventions

  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973)
  • Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987)
  • Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1989)
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
  • The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992)
  • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000)
  • Stockholm Convention on persistent Organic Pollutants (2001)
  • Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1998)
  • United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)
  • United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971)
  • United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988)
  • United Nations Convention against Corruption (2004)

EU-Niger Bilateral Development Assistance

DG INTPA

Access all info about EU-Niger relations on the International Partnerships website: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/niger_en

Opportunities in Niger

  • Positive economic outlook over the next years supported by a strengthening of democratic institutions and a commitment to the domestic development goals
  • Ongoing investments in infrastructure, including for example the Kandadji Dam and beginning construction of an oil pipeline

Contact points