The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Government of Niger have signed a $144.7 million financing agreement to expand energy access, strengthen economic competitiveness, and enhance long-term resilience. The deal was signed in Abidjan by AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah and Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, who also serves as Minister of Economy and Finance.
The agreement provides budgetary support through the African Development Fund, the Bank’s concessional financing arm, and will fund Phase 1 of the Energy Sector Governance and Competitiveness Support Programme (PAGSEC). According to Prime Minister Zeine, the programme marks an important milestone in Niger’s cooperation with the African Development Bank and comes at a crucial time for the country’s development.
Through PAGSEC, Niger aims to increase electricity access from 22.5 percent to 30 percent by 2026 while also raising the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP from 2.5 percent to 3.8 percent. Renewable energy development is a key priority, with plans to add 240 MW of solar power capacity by 2030, including 50 MW by December 2026.
In addition to improving energy access, the programme will strengthen public financial management and tax revenue systems, support the clearance of domestic arrears, and promote public-private dialogue. It also seeks to establish an industrial and trade policy that will help boost Niger’s private sector and competitiveness in the region.
AfDB President Dr. Ould Tah reaffirmed the institution’s commitment, stating that the Bank will continue to support member states in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. The initiative also places strong emphasis on social inclusion, targeting internally displaced persons, women, and youth. With more than 507,000 people displaced due to ongoing security challenges in the Sahel, the programme incorporates measures to protect vulnerable communities through social and economic inclusion.
By combining investments in renewable energy, governance reforms, and inclusive development, Niger is set to unlock its potential and accelerate sustainable growth with the strong backing of the African Development Bank Group.
