The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 2000 to 2025 Africa

Background Niger, in 26 editions.

The entry for Niger published Background in 26 editions of 36, from 2000 to 2025. The text changed in 17 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
17
the first edition with it
2000
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (2000 to 2025).

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.

2021 edition

Changed since 2020

Open the 2021 entry

The same text in 2021 and 2022.

Present-day Niger originated from the nomadic peoples of the Saharan north and the agriculturalists of the south. The Taureg kingdom of Takedda was one of the largest kingdoms in the north and played a prominent role in regional trade in the 14 th century. In the south, the primary ethnic groups were the Songhai-Zarma in the west, the Hausa in the center, and the Kanuri in the east. When European colonizers arrived in the 19 th century, the region was an assemblage of disparate local kingdoms.

In the late 19th century, the British and French agreed to partition the middle regions of the Niger River, and France began its conquest of what would become the colony of Niger. France experienced determined local resistance - particularly during the Tuareg uprising (1916-1917) - but established a colonial administration in 1922.

After achieving independence from France in 1960, Niger experienced single-party or military rule until 1991 when political pressure forced General Ali SAIBOU to allow multiparty elections. Political infighting and democratic backsliding led to coups in 1996 and 1999. In December of that year, military officers restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his presidential term.

In February 2010, military officers led another coup that deposed TANDJA. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in April 2011 and reelected in early 2016. In February 2021, BAZOUM Mohammed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another.

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. It is ranked last in the world on the UN Development Programme's Human Development Index. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Government continues its attempts to diversify the economy through increased oil production and mining projects.

In addition, Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.

Present-day Niger originated from the nomadic peoples of the Saharan north and the agriculturalists of the south. The Taureg kingdom of Takedda was one of the largest kingdoms in the north and played a prominent role in regional trade in the 14 th century. In the south, the primary ethnic groups were the Songhai-Zarma in the west, the Hausa in the center, and the Kanuri in the east. When European colonizers arrived in the 19 th century, the region was an assemblage of disparate local kingdoms.
In the
late 19th century, the British and French agreed to partition the middle regions of the Niger River into British Nigeria River, and French France began its conquest of what would become the colony of Niger. In subsequent decades French France experienced determined local resistance - particularly during the Tuareg uprising (1916-1917) - but established a colonial administration spread until in 1922 Niger officially became a colony. Following 1922.
After achieving
independence from France in 1960, the country Niger experienced single-party and or military rule until 1991, 1991 when Gen. political pressure forced General Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. elections. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 democratic backsliding led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed coups in a counter coup by 1996 and 1999. In December of that year, military officers who restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. power. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and in 2009 spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his term as president. presidential term. In February 2010, military officers led a another coup that deposed TANDJA and suspended the constitution. TANDJA. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in April 2011 following the coup and reelected to a second term in early 2016. In February 2021, BAZOUM Mohammed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base, and base. It is ranked last in the world on the United Nations UN Development Programme’s Programme's Human Development Index. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Government continues its attempts to diversify the economy through increased oil production and mining projects. A Tuareg rebellion emerged in 2007 and ended in 2009. In addition, Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. “Niger: Background.” The World Factbook, 2000–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/niger/background.

How to cite