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This report provides a conclusion and a set of policy recommendations for Niger's development, outlining a path to transition from extreme poverty and political instability toward inclusive growth by leveraging its youthful population and natural resources.

This introductory report provides an overview of Niger's geographic, political, and socio-economic landscape, detailing its transition from a democratic state to a military-led government following a coup in July 2023. It highlights the country's reliance on natural resources, its vulnerability to climate change, and its recent strategic shift away from Western security partnerships toward new regional alliances and partners such as Russia and China.

This research paper analyzes the rapid growth and tactical evolution of the Islamic State–Sahel Province (IS-SP) between 2019 and 2026. It details how IS-SP has transitioned from a small affiliate to a deadly regional force through structural governance, tactical innovations—including the first use of drones in Niger—and increased strategic guidance from IS Core. The document highlights the collapse of regional security architectures and the escalating rivalry between IS-SP and the al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM as primary drivers of instability in the Sahel.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the election of Romuald Wadagni as president of Benin on 12 April 2026 provides a strategic opportunity to reset diplomatic relations with Niger and reduce regional tensions. The authors suggest that the African Union (AU), specifically through the AU Mission for Mali and the Sahel, is best positioned to facilitate this dialogue to address security and economic liabilities resulting from the current impasse.

This position paper by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) and Schneider Electric advocates for gender equality in the renewable energy (RE) sector to accelerate universal energy access by 2030. It argues that women are essential agents of change who reinvest a higher portion of their income into community services than men. The document provides specific recommendations for RE companies, funding partners, and investors to implement gender-sensitive approaches, alongside case studies from India and the Sahel region demonstrating the socio-economic impact of empowering women entrepreneurs and leaders in the energy transition.

This research paper examines the dynamics of synthetic drug markets in West Africa, using tramadol as a primary case study to analyze how criminal networks adapt to supply-side disruptions. The report highlights that law enforcement and regulatory efforts often lead to market displacement, increased prices, and the emergence of more dangerous synthetic substitutes rather than the total disruption of the trade.

This report presents the findings of a consultative study involving 52 women in Niger's Tillabéri region to analyze the gender-specific impacts of a security crisis that has claimed over 2,495 lives in the region between January 2017 and July 2022. The study highlights how insecurity exacerbates gender-based violence, increases poverty through widowhood and economic disruption, and hinders access to essential health and education services.

This factsheet summarizes the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report for West Africa, detailing how the region is warming faster than the global average. It highlights severe risks to food security, human health (specifically heat-related mortality and diarrhoeal diseases), and biodiversity. The report emphasizes that while adaptation options like ecosystem-based solutions exist, they are severely hindered by a lack of finance and critical data gaps in climate research.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the roles and motivations of women associated with katiba Macina in Mali and Boko Haram in Niger. It details how these violent extremist groups (VEGs) utilise women for recruitment, logistics, intelligence, and operational tasks, while examining the diverse pathways—ranging from voluntary association to kidnapping—that lead women into these groups.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines civil society perspectives on the viability of dialogue between governments in the Lake Chad Basin and violent extremist groups, specifically Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Based on a 2019 workshop with representatives from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, the document explores the tension between continued militarised responses and the potential for dialogue-based conflict resolution.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the progress and challenges of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ahead of the 32nd AU summit. While political momentum is high, the document highlights a gap between the ceremonial launches and the technical reality, as critical tariff schedules and rules of origin remain unfinalized.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines community perceptions of organized crime and illicit trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel, specifically focusing on Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Niger. It argues that in regions where the state is absent or corrupt, trafficking is often viewed not as a crime but as a necessary survival strategy and a sign of social success. The document details a 'vicious cycle' where poverty, crime, and state deprivation reinforce each other, leading to the erosion of traditional social norms and the infiltration of criminal networks into state institutions.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines community perspectives on organized crime and illicit trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel, specifically focusing on Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Niger. It argues that in regions with weak state presence and extreme poverty, trafficking is often viewed not as a crime but as a necessary survival strategy and a legitimate path to social success. The document details how this criminal economy erodes traditional authority, fuels corruption at all levels of government, and creates a cycle of state alienation, while proposing community-led solutions centered on state integrity and sustainable economic alternatives.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the vulnerability and resilience of Niger in the face of rising religious extremism and terrorism following attacks in May 2013. It evaluates Niger's three-pronged national strategy—military, socioeconomic, and legal—and examines the effectiveness of regional cooperation frameworks in the Sahel-Saharan region.

This report, commissioned by the UNDP, assesses climate risks for wetlands in Niger, specifically focusing on La Mare de Tabalak in the Tahoua region. It examines the vulnerability of the pond and its local inhabitants to recurring droughts and floods, the impact of environmental degradation, and the existing institutional frameworks for climate risk management. The document provides recommendations for sustainable wetland management, emphasizing intercommunal cooperation, improved monitoring, and the integration of gender issues into climate policies.

This research paper by Molly Hellmuth explores the specific information requirements for climate risk management, categorizing decision-making into responsive, proactive, and robust frameworks. It argues that while these approaches have different horizons, they all rely on identifying vulnerabilities, hazards, and risks to improve development outcomes and resilience.

The OAU Council of Ministers' 22nd Ordinary Session in Kampala (April 1974) produced resolutions addressing internal financial irregularities, the adoption of the 1974/75 budget, and support for Sahelian countries facing drought. Key diplomatic positions included support for the PLO in the Middle East, opposition to the US-UK base at Diego Garcia, and the endorsement of Amadou Mahtar M'Bow for Director General of UNESCO. The Council also approved financial aid for Guinea-Bissau and proposed a tax-funded mechanism to mitigate the impact of rising oil prices on developing nations.

This report evaluates the state of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in Niger, identifying potential technologies, their impacts on soil fertility and crop yields, and the socio-economic constraints hindering their widespread adoption in rural areas.