Overview of the Extractive Industries in Niger

The Republic of Niger has large reserves of uranium and in 2003 was the fourth largest producer in the world. Although uranium exports accounted for 62% of exports by value and contributed 4.3% of government revenue in 2003, uranium-mining is a declining sector. Gold mining has been traditionally done at small scale, yet gold production started in Niger's first commercial mine at Samira in late 2004. Gold contribution to the economy remains modest. In addition, exploration for oil is underway, with indicated reserves of around 300 million barrels.

Status of EITI Implementation

Niger is currently a Candidate Country. It now has until 9 March 2010 to undertake Validation.

On 11 March 2005 Niger's Prime Minister Hama Amadou announced that the Council of Ministers had declared its endorsement of the EITI principles. Several launch workshops were held between 5 and 7 September 2006, gathering representatives from international institutions, companies and civil society organizations.

The workshops concluded with a declaration which reiterates the adhesion of the three partners (government, civil society and extractives industries) to the principles and criteria of EITI and sets out the main configuration of the institutional structure and the key points of the implementation plan.

An EITI implementation committee has been created and published its work plan. On 27 August 2007 Niger became a candidate country.

The EITI committee intervened in the reform process of oil and mining legislation. It organized meetings with companies' representatives to inform them about the EITI and engage them in the process.

Governance of EITI implementation in Niger

The EITI Niger implementation committee (Comité interministériel) is the multi-stakeholder group in charge of implementation and follow up of the EITI in Niger. It is subdivided into three sub-committees: for statistics and audits, for capacity building and for communication. After the publication of a Ministerial Decree the EITI Niger Permanent Secretariat acquired management autonomy. His Excellency Mr. Albadé Abouba is the President of this Committee and Mr. Askia Abdoul Aziz, the Permanent Secretary and Coordinator and serves as its focal point.

EITI Niger Focal Point

Askia Abdoul Aziz
Permanent Secretary
National Committee of the EITI Niger
BP 893 Niamey
République du Niger
Tel: +227-20 722056
Fax: +227-20 722158
Email: az_askia [at] yahoo [dot] fr

Further information about the status of EITI implementation in Niger can be provided by Regional Director Tim Bittiger at the EITI International Secretariat.