Niger

Following the spread of Islam to the region, Niger was on the fringes of various Islamic states. It was colonized by France during the Scramble for Africa as part of French West Africa, becoming a colony in 1922.

Since obtaining independence in 1960, Niger has experienced five coups d’état and four periods of military rule. Niger’s seventh and most recent constitution was enacted in 2010, establishing a multiparty, unitary semi-presidential system. Following the most recent coup in 2023, the country is once again under a military junta.

Its society reflects a diversity of ethnic groups. The Hausa are the country’s largest ethnic group, making up more than half the population. French is the country’s official language, and ten indigenous languages have the status of national language.

Niger remains one of the poorest countries in the world due to frequent droughts .Most agriculture is subsistence agriculture. The export of raw materials, including uranium ore brings in much needed income.

Niger’s faces numerous challenges to development due to its landlocked position, desert terrain, low literacy rate, jihadist insurgencies, and the world’s highest fertility rates resulting rapid population growth.