Niger
As a least-developed country (LDC), Niger is a beneficiary of the EU's "Everything but Arms" (EBA) arrangement. The World Bank classifies Niger as a low-income economy with a per-capita income of $723 in 2024. Total EU imports from Niger amounted to about €300 million in 2024, the highest value since 2015. As most of Niger's exports enter the EU duty-free under the EU's normal tariff regime, the scope for preferential imports is limited - these amounted to €2.5 million in 2024.
What is the EBA?
The EBA arrangement covers all LDCs as classified by the United Nations. This arrangement enables duty-free and quota-free access for all products originating in LDCs except for arms and ammunition. Unlike beneficiaries of the Standard GSP and GSP+, LDCs are not excluded from the scheme if they benefit from other preferential arrangements or agreements with the EU.
At a glance: EU preferential imports from EBA beneficiary countries (2024, € million)
27.0M (2024)
Population
Semi-Presidential Republic (military government)
Government
8.4% (2024)
GDP Growth
9.1% (2024)
Inflation
$ 19.5B (2024)
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 in 2024 petroleum oils, accounting for more than 85% of export earnings. Vegetables, salt, machinery, and live cattle are important non-minerals exports.
Trade Partners
Niger's most important trading partners are the EU (33% of total trade in 2024), China (19%), and the UAE (8%). The EU is also both the most important export market and supplier for Niger. Other important export markets are teh UAE and African countries (especially South Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso), while China and Nigeria are other important suppliers.
Economic Structure
Agriculture stands at the centre of Niger's economy: its contribution to the GDP was 34% in 2024, and it 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.
Uranium Deposits
Niger possesses Africa's highest-grade uranium ores, and until 2023 was one of the main exporters of uranium to Europe. Following the regime change, uranium exports to the EU have stopped.
Trade with the EU
Total trade with the EU amounted to €911 million in 2024. With a share of 33%, the EU is Niger's most important trading partner. 52% of Niger's exports go to the EU market, while 28% of the country's imports originate from the EU (in 2024).
Niger and the EU
Imports from Niger by product section (2024, € million)
Imports from Niger over time (€ million)
NIGER AND THE EU GSP
Economic Impact
5%
Share of Niger's exports to the EU that were eligible for EBA preferences in 2024.
61%
Niger's preference utilisation rate in 2024.
99%
Share of zero-duty imports from Niger in 2024. Most imports are duty-free under normal EU tariffs.
Preference utilisation and export diversification
EU imports from Niger (€ million)
Preference utilisation (%) vs. total eligible imports (in € million)
EBA-eligible imports from Niger increased from 2014 to 2023, but dropped again in 2024; in any case, absolute levels remain limited. Imports from Niger since 2023 have been predominantly mineral products, which enter the EU duty-free under the normal tariffs. The main preference-eligible imports are fruit and vegetables, and machinery. Only the first of these used the EBA preferences in 2024, at a rate of 98%. The overall preference utilisation rate decreased in recent years, to 61% in 2024.
The largest product sections under EBA (€ million, 2024)
EBA preferences are only being used for few product sections. Fruit and vegetables are by far the largest section, accounting for 97% of preferential imports in 2027. Apparel, and pearls and precious metals account for the rest.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The preferential access to the EU market granted by the EBA scheme is not bound to the ratification of international conventions. Nevertheless, Niger has a high level of ratification of international conventions. The country has ratified 14 out of 15 fundamental conventions on human rights and labour standards listed in the GSP Regulation, as well as all 12 conventions on environmental protection and good governance.
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 Cooperation
DG INTPA
Access all info about EU-Niger relations on the International Partnerships website.