Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Gail Dennise Thomas MATHIEU embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 FAX: [227] 73 31 67, 72-31-46
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with
a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white
band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel
centered in the white band
Economy Niger
Economy - overview:
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, a landlocked
Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops,
livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought
cycles, desertification, a 3.3% population growth rate, and the drop
in world demand for uranium have undercut the economy. Niger shares
a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the
Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other
members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger
qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary
Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded
an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth
Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC
initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service
obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care,
primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and
other programs geared at poverty reduction. Nearly half of the
government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future
growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and
other mineral resources.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$9.716 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 39% industry: 17% services: 44% (2001)
Labor force:
70,000 receive regular wages or salaries (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%