NABC and Niger
The NABC has a long track record of facilitating business relations between the Dutch private sector, and companies, and public sectors in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Currently (2022 up to 2025) the NABC together with PUM and Yiriwa intercontinental consulting implements a three-year programme called Agriboost, aiming to strengthen the horticulture and poultry sectors in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger by working with 60 successful, profitable, and innovative business champions. These Business Champions are entrepreneurs who have already demonstrated their competence in running successful businesses.
Through knowledge sharing, technical assistance, and enhanced trade relations, the programme aims to promote economic growth and development in the poultry and horticulture sector in the Sahel, and foster collaboration between the region and the Netherlands. One of the activities has been the organisation of stands at the SARA (agricultural fair in Abidjan) in 2023 where we matched around 30 companies from the Sahel with Dutch companies.
In May 2018, the NABC organized the Francophone Africa Business (FAB) Forum which included Malian representants from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Niger. The goal was to foster and increase partnerships in agribusiness.
In October and November 2017, NABC organized an incoming trade mission with representants coming from Niger. The mission focused on water, energy and logistics. It was planned jointly with the Francophone Africa Business (FAB) Forum.
In March 2017, NABC carried out an outgoing information mission to Niger with a focus on the themes of water, energy, and logistics.
In February 2017, NABC organized a business seminar for Niger with agribusiness, water, energy and logistics as the main areas of focus. The Nigerien Embassy based in Brussels presented business opportunities in the country and representatives of Dutch companies and organisations.
In August and September 2016, NABC arranged an incoming agricultural mission to the Netherlands with delegates from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
In April 2015, the Mali-Niger-Burkina Faso Business Forum was initiated and promoted Business and Investment Opportunities in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
In October 2014, an outgoing training mission to Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso was planned.
Investment climate
Niger’s economy is mainly driven by agriculture and mining. Agriculture is largely self-sufficient, and contributes to about 40% of its GDP, although agricultural products and livestock are also exported to the surrounding countries. The military coup in July 2023 contributed to a slow down in the economic activities of the country in 2023. Financial and economic sanctions were put on the country by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African and Monetary Unition (WAEMU). External funding was frozen by Niger’s main technical and financial partners, Niger formed the “Alliance of Sahel States” (AES) in September 2023 with Burkina Faso, and Mali aiming for security, military cooperation, and economic goals.
Moreover, the country is still very much under the threat of climate change with repeated droughts affecting Niger over the last few decades. These changes have consequently affected the agricultural sector and combined to high demographic growth, an estimated 8.9% of the population was projected to be food insecure in 2023. Nevertheless, the government is taking actions to answer the problem. Under the Nigeriens Nourishing Nigeriens (3N) initiative, which aims to combat hunger and poverty while augmenting the resilience of farmers and herders to climate change, Niger has committed itself to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which have an environmental dimension.
The country welcomes foreign trade which represents about 35% of Niger’s GDP in 2023. Niger has seen a growth in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) over the last ten years, with the government taking proactive steps to improve the business climate and draw in international investors. Measures to open up the economy, encourage privatization, and create new export processing zones have been progressively introduced. The FDI inflows jumped from 4% in 2021 to 6.3% of the GDP in 2022 standing at USD 581 million in 2022 according to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2023. The government of Niger (GON) restricts foreign ownership and control in critical sectors like energy and minerals for reasons of national security. If a foreigner company wants to get land ownership, it needs to get an authorization from the Ministry of Planning.
Potential areas of investment include construction, services (telecommunications) and energy have high potential with projects rising such as the construction of the hydro-agricultural dam at Kandahi. Niger has significant hydroelectric potential, with key sites like Kandadji, Gambou on the Niger River, and Dyondyonga on the Mekrou River offering promising energy production capacities. Beyond these major locations, there are also several smaller rivers, such as the Goulbi Maradi, Tahoua Maggia, and Sirba, that are suitable for micro-hydropower projects.
Solar energy is another viable option across the country, thanks to the high levels of sunlight, averaging 8.5 hours of sun each day. Wind energy is also feasible, especially in the northern regions where wind speeds are higher, making windturbines an effective solution for water pumping. Uranium is the main export product of Niger. For the Dutch private sector Niger offers opportunities in a.o. the horticulture and poultry sector. Niger is a large producer of onions. Dutch seed suppliers make impact with new varieties of onion seeds which can be produced in the rainy season.
Investment Climate Key Indicators & Metrics
| Measure | Year | Index/Rank |
| TI Corruption Perceptions Index | 2023 | 125 out of 180 |
| Economic Freedom Index | 2024 | 128 out of 184 |
| Global Innovation Index | 2023 | 131 out of 132 |
Diplomatic Relations
The Netherlands
Embassy
The Netherlands is represented in Niger via its Embassy in Niamey led by Ambassador H.E. Mr. Paul Tholen.
More information can be found here.
Niger
Embassy
Niger is represented in the Netherlands via its embassy in Brussels, led by Ambassador H.E. Mr. Idé Alhassane.
Mattijs Renden
- Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Tanzania, Tunisia
- mattijs.renden@nabc.nl