Country Profile · No. 37

Niger

Capital / Admin Capital

NiameyPopulation: ~27.0MIndependence: 1960 (August 3)

First President

Hamani Diori (1960–1974)Current Transitional Leader: General Abdourahamane Tchiani (Head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland since July 2023)

Geography & Borders

Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Algeria. Landlocked West African nation dominated overwhelmingly by the Sahara Desert and the Sahel.

Demographics & Language

Islam (Sunni, ~99%). Official: French language. National languages include Hausa, Zarma, Tamasheq, Fulfulde. Major groups: Hausa (~53%), Zarma/Songhai (~21%), Tuareg (~11%), Fulani (~6.5%).

Economy & GDP

Uranium mining (global significance), petroleum extraction, agriculture (subsistence farming, livestock).

Global Diaspora

1. Nigeria (~100k), 2. Ivory Coast (~50k), 3. France (~15k), 4. United States (~3k–5k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): New York (New York City), Ohio (Columbus), Washington D.C..

Major Conflicts

Tuareg rebellions (1990–1995, 2007–2009), Islamist insurgency in the Sahel (2010s–present), 2023 Nigerien coup d'état.

3 Must-See Sites

1. Air Mountains and Tenere Nature Reserve (Massive dramatic Saharan wilderness and UNESCO biosphere reserve featuring prehistoric engravings), 2. W National Park (Transnational park spanning the Niger River basin protecting elephants, cheetahs, and lions), 3. Agadez Historic Centre (Gateway to the desert renowned for its striking mud-brick architecture and towering 16th-century minaret).

Quick Facts

Named after the mighty Niger River that flows through its fertile southwestern corner; holds massive deposits of high-grade uranium powering a significant portion of nuclear energy abroad.