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 $643 in 2023. Total EU imports from Niger amounted to about €183 million in 2023, the highest value since 2017. 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 €3.9 million in 2023.

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.

Niger flag

At a glance: EU preferential imports from EBA beneficiary countries (2023, € million)

group

26.2M (2023)

Population

account_balance
Semi-Presidential Republic

Government

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2.5% (2023)

GDP Growth

equalizer

3.7% (2023)

Inflation

money

$ 16.8B (2023)

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 2023 were uranium, gold, and petroleum oils, together accounting for about 85% of export earnings. Vegetables, machinery, and live cattle are important non-minerals exports.

Trade Partners

Niger's most important trading partners are the EU (30% of total trade in 2023), China (15%), and India (13%). The EU is also both the most important export market and supplier for Niger. Other important export markets are regional (Mali, Nigeria and Burkina Faso), while China and India are other important suppliers.

Economic Structure

Agriculture increasingly stands at the centre of Niger's economy: its contribution to the GDP increased from around 36% in 2017 to 48% in 2023, 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 is one of the main exporters of uranium to Europe.

Trade with the EU

Total trade with the EU amounted to €856 million in 2023. With a share of 30%, the EU is Niger's most important trading partner. 33% of Niger's exports go to the EU market, while 29% of the country's imports originate from the EU.

Niger and the EU

Imports from Niger by product section (2023, € million)

Imports from Niger over time (€ million)

NIGER AND THE EU GSP

Economic Impact

6%

Share of Niger's exports to the EU that were eligible for EBA preferences in 2023.

72%

Niger's preference utilisation rate in 2023.

99%

Share of zero-duty imports from Niger. 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 strongly increased from 2014 to 2023, although absolute levels remain limited. 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 overall preference utilisation rate fluctuated over the years but remained between 70% and 80% in recent years.

The largest product sections under EBA (€ million, 2023)

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 Cooperation

DG INTPA

Access all info about EU-Niger relations on the International Partnerships website.

Contact points