Discusses the state of direct marketing and what channels are available for companies to use direct marketing.
Last Published: 6/26/2017
There are no prohibitions on direct marketing. Direct mail is unlikely to be an effective strategy in Niger as home mail delivery does not exist, and mail service to post offices is slow and unreliable.  Telemarketing would be an expensive and somewhat frustrating strategy to use in Niger as fixed line phone service is limited. Fixed line service that does exist is expensive by world standards and is often unreliable and plagued by line noise.  E-mail marketing is limited because home Internet access is nascent.  Internet cafés are expanding throughout the country but these businesses face a limited choice of internet service providers (ISPs) with high rates and mediocre service.  Digital cable is not presently a marketing option in Niger.  Marketing via cell phones is a possibility.  Cell phones are more common and more reliable in Niger than fixed lines.  Direct response marketing, such as infomercials with solicitations for credit card purchases of products, would be unlikely to work in Niger as few Nigeriens have credit cards.  There are relatively few outlets in Niger that accept credit cards. Niger is almost entirely a cash-based economy.
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.