Niger - TransportationNiger - Transportation
Overview
Table 4: Niger Transportation Production (USD Million)
Data Sources: National Institute of Statistics; estimates Based on IMF projection.
Niger is a long way from maritime ports, and the combination of the absence of railways, the poor navigability of the Niger River and the inadequate airport subsector means that internal and external transportation mostly (95 percent) depends on the road and river network. Transportation therefore plays a very important role in the economic and social development of the country.
The transport subsector has benefited from the2014 revision of the Investment Code aimed at increasing its attractiveness, including an exemption from tax on industrial and commercial profits (BIC).
The road network covers over 20,083 kilometers of primary and secondary roads. All imports transshipped through coastal ports are transported by truck to their final destination in Niger. The volume of imports carried by truck has increased rapidly, underpinned by strong demand for basic foodstuffs.
Leading Sub-Sectors
There is no fully operational railway in Niger: the country jointly operates the Benin-based Cotonou to Niamey railway line with Benin under the auspices of OCBN (Organization Commune Benin Niger), but progress in connecting the two cities has been slow. Although President Issoufou inaugurated the railroad in January 2016 with a ceremonial voyage between Dosso and Niamey, the segment is still under construction.
Niger’s air transport sector has recovered from the decline experienced at the beginning of the century, boosted by market liberalization. Niger has six major airports including three international air terminals – Niamey, Agadez and Zinder and a number of smaller airstrips. Nevertheless, the market remains relatively underdeveloped, and funding to upgrade facilities remains a problem.
Opportunities
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is committed to the promotion of the country’s road infrastructure in order to open up transportation links, and development bank funding is in place to fund a number of road schemes. In addition, the World Bank is supporting the transport sector by improving access of rural populations to markets and services on selected unpaved sections of the national road network, and by strengthening the institutional framework, management and implementation of road maintenance.
Web Resources
World Trade Organization – Niger Trade Policy Review
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.
Table 4: Niger Transportation Production (USD Million)
| Year | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 (est.) | 2017 (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Market Size | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total Production | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total Exports | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total Imports | 332.8 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Imports from the U.S. | 14.16 | 4.77 | N/A | N/A |
| Exchange Rate: 1 USD | 585 CFA | 585 CFA | 585 CFA | 585 CFA |
Niger is a long way from maritime ports, and the combination of the absence of railways, the poor navigability of the Niger River and the inadequate airport subsector means that internal and external transportation mostly (95 percent) depends on the road and river network. Transportation therefore plays a very important role in the economic and social development of the country.
The transport subsector has benefited from the2014 revision of the Investment Code aimed at increasing its attractiveness, including an exemption from tax on industrial and commercial profits (BIC).
The road network covers over 20,083 kilometers of primary and secondary roads. All imports transshipped through coastal ports are transported by truck to their final destination in Niger. The volume of imports carried by truck has increased rapidly, underpinned by strong demand for basic foodstuffs.
Leading Sub-Sectors
There is no fully operational railway in Niger: the country jointly operates the Benin-based Cotonou to Niamey railway line with Benin under the auspices of OCBN (Organization Commune Benin Niger), but progress in connecting the two cities has been slow. Although President Issoufou inaugurated the railroad in January 2016 with a ceremonial voyage between Dosso and Niamey, the segment is still under construction.
Niger’s air transport sector has recovered from the decline experienced at the beginning of the century, boosted by market liberalization. Niger has six major airports including three international air terminals – Niamey, Agadez and Zinder and a number of smaller airstrips. Nevertheless, the market remains relatively underdeveloped, and funding to upgrade facilities remains a problem.
Opportunities
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is committed to the promotion of the country’s road infrastructure in order to open up transportation links, and development bank funding is in place to fund a number of road schemes. In addition, the World Bank is supporting the transport sector by improving access of rural populations to markets and services on selected unpaved sections of the national road network, and by strengthening the institutional framework, management and implementation of road maintenance.
Web Resources
World Trade Organization – Niger Trade Policy Review
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.