Niger - 0 - Executive SummaryNiger - Exeucitve Summary
Niger is eager to attract foreign investment and has taken steps to improve its business climate, including making reforms to liberalize the economy, encourage privatization, and increase imports and exports.
In March 2016, President Issoufou was elected for a second five-year term. During his inauguration speech, he laid out his “Renaissance II” vision for Niger’s development, highlighting plans to further develop the nation’s mining, petroleum, and industrial sectors, while scaling up the country’s transport infrastructure. He further promised a sustained 7 percent annual GDP growth throughout his term in office. Issoufou’s vision incorporates the need for external investment and the Government of Niger (GON) continues to seek foreign investment – American or otherwise. During a visit to New York in September 2016, on the margins of the 71st UN General Assembly, President Issoufou met with U. S. investors to convey the message that Niger is open for business and would welcome U.S. investment. The GON’s Chamber of Commerce has a special unit dedicated to assisting both foreign and Nigerien investors, and the GON highlights the benefits of doing business in Niger: political stability, economic freedom, an active Chamber of Commerce, and a waiting time of no more than three days to start a business. GON focus areas for investment include the mining sector, infrastructure and construction, transportation, and agribusiness.
Unfortunately, U.S. investment in the country is very small; many U.S. firms see risk due to the country’s limited transport and energy infrastructure, the perception of political instability and terrorist threats, and a climate that is dry and very hot. Foreign investment dominates key sectors: the mining, transportation and telecommunications sectors are dominated by French firms, while Chinese investment is paramount for the oil and large-scale construction sectors. Much of the country’s retail stores, particularly those related to food, dry goods and clothing are operated by Lebanese and Moroccan entrepreneurs. There are currently no major U.S. firms operating in Niger.
Table 9 – Niger Investment Climate
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In March 2016, President Issoufou was elected for a second five-year term. During his inauguration speech, he laid out his “Renaissance II” vision for Niger’s development, highlighting plans to further develop the nation’s mining, petroleum, and industrial sectors, while scaling up the country’s transport infrastructure. He further promised a sustained 7 percent annual GDP growth throughout his term in office. Issoufou’s vision incorporates the need for external investment and the Government of Niger (GON) continues to seek foreign investment – American or otherwise. During a visit to New York in September 2016, on the margins of the 71st UN General Assembly, President Issoufou met with U. S. investors to convey the message that Niger is open for business and would welcome U.S. investment. The GON’s Chamber of Commerce has a special unit dedicated to assisting both foreign and Nigerien investors, and the GON highlights the benefits of doing business in Niger: political stability, economic freedom, an active Chamber of Commerce, and a waiting time of no more than three days to start a business. GON focus areas for investment include the mining sector, infrastructure and construction, transportation, and agribusiness.
Unfortunately, U.S. investment in the country is very small; many U.S. firms see risk due to the country’s limited transport and energy infrastructure, the perception of political instability and terrorist threats, and a climate that is dry and very hot. Foreign investment dominates key sectors: the mining, transportation and telecommunications sectors are dominated by French firms, while Chinese investment is paramount for the oil and large-scale construction sectors. Much of the country’s retail stores, particularly those related to food, dry goods and clothing are operated by Lebanese and Moroccan entrepreneurs. There are currently no major U.S. firms operating in Niger.
Table 9 – Niger Investment Climate
| Measure | Year | Index/Rank |
|---|---|---|
| TI Corruption Perceptions Index | 2016 | 101of 176 |
| World Bank’s Doing Business Report “Ease of Doing Business” | 2017 | 150 of 190 |
| Global Innovation Index | 2016 | 124 of 128 |
| U.S. FDI in partner country ($M USD, stock positions) | 2015 | 0 |
| World Bank GNI per capita | 2015 | 390 |