Country Profile - NIGER

General Information

Area: 1,267,000 sq km (489,191 sq miles).

Population: 10,832,000 (official estimate 2000).

Population Density: 8.5 per sq km.

Capital: Niamey. Population: 550,000 (1988).

GEOGRAPHY: Niger has borders with Libya and Algeria to the north, Chad to the east, Nigeria and Benin to the south, and Mali and Burkina Faso to the west. The capital, Niamey, stands on the north bank of the Niger River and has long been a major trading centre on this important navigable waterway. The river meanders for 500km (300 miles) through the southwestern corner of the country. To the east is a band of semi-arid bush country along the border with Nigeria, shrinking by 20km (12 miles) every year as over-grazing claims more land for the Ténéré Desert, which already occupies over half of Niger. This desert is divided by a range of low mountains, Aïr ou Azbine, in the eastern foothills of which lies the city of Agadez. Surrounded by green valleys and hot springs amid semi-desert, this regional capital is still a major terminus for Saharan caravans. The desert to the west of the mountains is a stony plain hosting seasonal pastures; to the north and west are mostly vast expanses of sand. There is arable land beside Lake Chad in the extreme southeastern corner of the country. The Hausa people live along the border with Nigeria and most are farmers. The Songhai and Djerma people live in the Niger valley and exist by farming and fishing. The nomadic Fulani have spread all over the Sahel. The robed and veiled Tuaregs once dominated the southern cities; the few who remain are camel herders and caravanners on the Saharan routes. The Manga (or Kanun) live near Lake Chad and are well known for their colourful ceremonies in which pipes and drums accompany slow, stately dancing.

Government: Republic since 1960. Head of State: President Mamadou Tandja since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Hama Amadou since 2000.

Language: The official language is French. Also spoken are Hausa (by half of the population), Djerma, Fulani, Manga, Zarma and Tuareg dialects.

Religion: Approximately 95 per cent Muslim, with Christian and Animist minorities.

Time: GMT + 1.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications:

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 227 (no area codes). Outgoing international code: 00. Telephone services are provided by Société Nigérienne des Télécommunications (SONITEL).

Mobile telephone: GSM 900. Main network provider is Celtel Niger (website: www.msi-cellular.com).

Telegram: Services are available from the Chief Telegraph Office, Niamey, some hotels and other telegraph offices. There are three rates of charge.

Fax: Available in large hotels in urban areas.

Internet: The main ISP is SONITEL. Internet access can be found in major urban areas.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe takes up to 2 weeks. Post office hours: generally 0730-1230 and 1530-1800.

Press: All newspapers are published in French; most are weeklies.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa

Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes Yes Yes
Australian Yes Yes Yes
Canadian Yes Yes Yes
USA Yes Yes Yes
OtherEU Yes 1 Yes
Japanese Yes Yes Yes

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for 6 months required by all, except holders of National ID Cards issued to Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, and holders of a UN laissez-passer.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:

(a) 1. nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Denmark, Finland, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Norway, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Sierra Leone, Togo and Tunisia;

(b) alien residents holding a valid ‘Permis de Séjour’ or ‘Visa de Séjour’;

(c) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours and who do not leave the airport. Some nationals do require a visa for transit. Contact Consular section at Embassy for further information.

Note: Visa exemptions generally apply for periods of up to 3 months. However, it is advised to contact the nearest Embassy/Consulate for further details as this may vary according to nationality.

Types of visa and cost: Ordinary: US$35.58 (1-month stay); US$88.94 (up to 3-month stay).

Validity: Up to 3 months, depending on purpose of stay.

Application to: Nearest Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Three completed and signed application forms. (c) Three passport-size photos. (d) A return or onward ticket. (e) Proof of sufficient funds (eg bank letter). (f) Yellow fever vaccination certificate (cholera also required if travelling from a neighbouring country which has reported an outbreak). (g) Postal applications should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed, registered envelope. (h) Fee, payable by cash, money order or company cheque. Tourist: (a)-(h) and, (i) Copy of letter from travel agent certifying round-trip ticket has been purchased. (j) Bank statement or proof of at least US$500 (for road travellers). Transit: (a)-(i) and, (j) Photocopy of round-trip ticket and/or itinerary.

Working days required: 2. A visa can be processed within 24 hours for an extra fee of US$20.

Exit permit: Must be obtained from the Immigration Department in Niamey before departure (except for nationals who do not require an entry visa).

Note: Passports must be presented to the police in each town where an overnight stay is intended. Passports are stamped at each town, so blank pages will be required. It is prohibited to travel by any route other than that stamped in the passport by the police.

Money

Currency: CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (CFAfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2500, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Niger is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Currency exchange: Currency can be exchanged at the airport as well as at main banks and hotels.

Credit & debit cards: Diners Club and MasterCard are both accepted on a limited basis. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Accepted by hotels, restaurants, most shops and airline offices. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros.

Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is unrestricted. Export of local currency is limited to CFAfr25,000. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the CFA Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb '04 May '04
£1.00= 938.15 957.53 961.13 983.76
$1.00= 573.92 564.26 528.01 550.79

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1100 and 1600-1700.

Duty Free

Duty Free: The following items may be imported into Niger by passengers of 15 years of age or older without incurring customs duty:

200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 bottle of spirits and 1 bottle of wine; 500ml of eau de toilette and 250ml of perfume.

Restricted items: A licence is required for sporting guns. Customs must authorise their temporary admission. Digging up or attempting to export ancient artefacts is prohibited. Pornography is prohibited. Apparatus for transmission or reception needs special authorisation (as does photographic equipment, see Photography in the Social Profile section). Selling cars without permission is prohibited.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Tabaske (Feast of the Sacrifice). Apr 12 Easter Monday. Apr 24 National Concord Day. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed). Aug 3 Independence Day. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 18 Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 21 Tabaske (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 28 Easter Monday. Apr 21 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed). Apr 24 National Concord Day. May 1 Labour Day. Aug 3 Independence Day. Nov 3-5 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 18 Republic Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day.

Note: (a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Tabaske may last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. (b) Niger’s small Christian community also observes Easter, Whitsun, Ascension, Assumption, All Saints’ Day and Christmas.

Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever Yes 1
Cholera Yes 2
Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A
Malaria 4 N/A

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all travellers over 1 year of age arriving from all countries: it is also recommended for all travellers leaving Niger.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Niger. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for further information.

3: Polio and typhoid both occur.

4: Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists all year throughout the country. Chloroquine-resistance has been reported.

Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present; avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Filariasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis are also reported; avoid insect bites. Long-staying visitors, particularly backpackers and those living with local people, should consider meningococcal meningitis, diphtheria and hepatitis B vaccinations. Hepatitis A, C and E are widespread.
HIV is a danger and rabies may be present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: The two main hospitals are in Niamey and Zinder. Only the main centres have reasonable medical facilities. Personal medicines should be brought in as these can be difficult or impossible to obtain in Niger. Full health insurance is essential and should include cover for emergency repatriation.

Travel – International

AIR: Most international flights are operated by Air Afrique (RK). Other airlines serving Niger include Air Algerie, Air France, Royal Air Maroc and Sudan Airways. (There are no direct flights to Niger from the UK.)

Approximate flight times: From London to Niamey is 6 hours excluding stopover time in Paris.

International airports: Niamey (NIM), 12km (7.5 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 10 minutes). Airport facilities include bars, shops, post office, currency exchange and car hire. Taxi services are available to the city. Hotels have their own vehicles and provide free transport for their clients between the hotel and the airport.

Departure tax: None.

ROAD: There are main roads from Kano (Nigeria) to Zinder, and from Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. The principal trans-Sahara desert track runs from Algiers to Asamakka and Arlit, with a paved road to Agadez. Desert driving can be difficult, marker beacons may not always be visible, and petrol is not always available. Bus: Services operate from Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Travel – Internal

Note: It is essential that all visitors report to the police station in any town where they are making an overnight stop; see the Passport/Visa section.

AIR: Air Niger runs services from Niamey to Agadez, Arlit, Maradi and Zinder. Charter flights can be arranged; contact Air Niger or Transniger in Niamey.

ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. There are an estimated 13,808km (8580 miles) of classified roads, 3256km (2020 miles) of which are main roads. Principal internal roads are from Niamey to Zinder, Tahoua, Arlit and Gaya. Many tracks are impassable during heavy rain. The best season for road travel is from December to March. Petrol stations are infrequent and garages are extremely expensive. It is prohibited to travel by a different route than the one entered in the passport by the police at the previous town. It is necessary to pay a toll on main routes. Bus: There are reasonable services between the main centres, even though many roads have been sealed. Coach services operate from Niamey to Agadez, N’guemi, Tera and Zinder. Elsewhere, it is common practice to pay for rides in cross-country lorries; note that this can be an extremely slow and uncomfortable means of transport and that extra payment is expected of those who wish to ride in the cab. Car hire: Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available, the latter being compulsory outside the capital. Note: Much of the country requires 4-wheel-drive vehicles, guides and full equipment. Documentation: An International Driving Permit and a Carnet de Passage are required. Minimum age is 23. Two photos are required.

Travel times: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Niamey to other major cities and towns in Niger.

Air Road
Zinder 0.45 12.00
Maradi - 9.00
Tahoua - 7.00
Dosso - 1.00
Tillabéri - 4.50
Agadez - 17.00

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION: Hotel accommodation is difficult to obtain and reservations for major international hotels should be booked overseas. All reservations should be made well in advance. There are good hotels in Agadez, Ayorou, Maradi, Niamey, La Tapoa and Zinder. There are also ‘Encampments’ in Agadez, Boubon, Namaro and Tillabéri. Local hotels are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information, contact the Ministère du Tourisme et d’Artisanat or the National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section).

Sport & Activities

Visitors can take canoes or motorboats along the Niger River to the Mali border of the ‘W’ Game Park. There are several swimming pools in Niamey and Agadez, but it is not advisable to swim in the lakes or rivers. There are two riding centres in the capital. Fishing is possible throughout the year, the main season being from April to September. Big-game hunting has been outlawed.

Social Profile

Food & Drink: Although Niger has concentrated on improving its agriculture, shortages of locally produced foodstuffs are common, owing to drought. Traditional dishes tend to be less varied than in countries further south and are usually based around millet, rice or niebé, a type of bean that has become an important crop. Beef and mutton are common in the Hausa country and the nomadic regions of the north. In both areas, brochettes are sold in the streets. Foura, which consists of small balls of ground and slightly fermented millet crushed with milk, sugar and spices, is a speciality. African, Asian and European dishes are also served, particularly in Niamey, using local fish, meat and vegetables.
Niger’s most popular drink is tea, which is available everywhere from street stalls. There is also a good selection of imported beverages. Alcohol is available, but there are restrictions because of Muslim beliefs and traditions.

Nightlife: In Niamey, there are several nightclubs with music and dancing. There are also three open-air cinemas in the capital.

Shopping: Markets in the main towns, notably Niamey and Agadez, sell a range of local artefacts. The Centre des Métiers d’Art de Niger, close to the National Museum, is worth visiting, as a wide range of local goods can be bought there. Courteous bargaining is expected and items include multicoloured blankets, leather goods, engraved calabashes, silver jewellery, swords and knives. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1600-1900, Sat 0800-1200.

Special Events: The Peulh people celebrate the end of the rainy season with a lively festival. Also of interest is the Cure Salée, when the nomads gather their cattle to lead them to the new pastures; a highlight of this is the gerewol festival of the nomadic Wodaabé tribe. The following is a selection of special events celebrated annually in Niger:
Jan Nwaotam Festival, Port Harcourt. Feb Durbar Festival; Argungu Fishing & Cultural Festival, Sokoto River. Apr National Festival Day. Jul Shango Festival, Lagos. Aug Pategi Regatta; Oshun Festival at Oshogo. Oct 1 Independence Day celebrations. Dec Nwaotam Festival, Port Harcourt.

Social Conventions: Handshaking is customary. Casual wear is widely suitable. Women should avoid wearing revealing clothes. Traditional beliefs and Muslim customs should be respected. Photography: Permits are required for photography and filming, and can be obtained from police stations. Tour operators and tourist bureaux are often able to make arrangements. Film is expensive and local facilities for processing film are not always good. Ask local people for permission before taking their photographs. Military installations, airports and administrative buildings (including the Presidential Palace) should not be photographed. Tipping: Expected for most services, usually 10 per cent. Most hotels add a 10 to 15 per cent service charge.

Business Profile

Economy: Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a per capita annual income of around US$200. 90 per cent of the country’s inhabitants are employed on the land, although less than 5 per cent of the actual land area is cultivated. This already difficult situation is exacerbated by the ever-expanding Saharan desert, drought and problems with pest control. Less than one-tenth of the crops grown are cash crops (cotton and groundnuts), while the rest (sorghum, millet and rice) are staples grown for domestic consumption. Livestock rearing is very important, especially among the country’s nomadic population. In a good year, Niger is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs; otherwise, the country needs food aid. Niger’s most valuable commodity is its uranium deposits – the country is one of the world’s largest producers. France and Japan buy the bulk of the uranium output but falling demand has reduced Niger’s receipts from this mineral. (Alleged attempts by Iraq to procure uranium from Niger have been the subject of recent controversy). Gypsum, coal and tin ore are also extracted in commercial quantities and there are proven deposits of other minerals, including copper, manganese, lithium, lead and tungsten. Oil deposits are also thought to exist. Niger has a little light industry, which produces food and drinks, textiles and cement.
From 1997 onwards, the government embarked on a programme of privatisation of the major public utilities at the behest of the IMF and World Bank. The process was delayed by the 1999 coup but several major sales have since gone through, along with an overhaul of the country’s financial systems. The following year, Niger was a beneficiary of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief programme, while the World Bank and IMF have provided occasional packages of financial support. In the period since 2001, after several years of sluggish performance, the economy has grown strongly, recording annual growth up to 8 per cent. Membership of the CFA Franc Zone affords some monetary stability. France is the country’s most important trading partner, followed by Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Japan and Germany. Niger is a member of the West African trading bloc, ECOWAS, as well as various other regional bodies concerned with economic co-operation.

Business: A lightweight suit and tie are generally acceptable. A knowledge of French is essential, as interpreters are not readily available and executives seldom speak English. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1230 and 1500-1800, Sat 0730-1230 (winter); Mon-Fri 0730-1230 and 1530-1830, Sat 0730-1230 (summer).

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce, d’Agriculture, d’Industrie et d’Artisanat du Niger, Place de la Concertation, BP 13299, Niamey (tel: 736 692; fax: 736 947; website: www.ccaian.org).

Climate

Climate: Summers are extremely hot. The dry season is from October to May. Heavy rains with high temperatures are common in July and August.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are required most of the year. Warmer clothes during the cool evenings, especially in the north, are essential. Rainwear is advisable.