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.

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

group

26,21 M

Population

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Semi-Presidential Republic

Government

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11.50%

GDP Growth

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6.60%

Inflation

money

$ 15,34 B

GDP

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 the EU and China, which together account for about 38.3% of overall trade. The most important export market for products from Niger isIndia, followed by the EU and China.

Economic Structure

Agriculture stands at the centre of Niger's economy; it contributes the largest share to the GDP ( 23.7%) 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 2,642t (2021) Niger is the world’s second largest producer.

Uranium Deposits

Niger has some of the world’s largest uranium deposits of uranium, which account for the majority of the country’s exports.

Trade with the EU

Total trade with the EU amounted to € 28,649 million in 2021. With a share of 21.7%, the EU is Niger's most important trading partner. 27.2% of export products from Niger go to the European market, while 16.1% 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

Most recent events

Date	Event

Contact points

Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Niger

Conversations

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