Niger’s Ministry of the Interior has suspended the activities of hundreds of local and international non-governmental organisations and development associations after they failed to submit their financial statements for 2024. The organisations have been granted a 60-day deadline to update and regularise their paperwork to regain operational status.
The government has not disclosed the exact number of NGOs affected, but the move comes shortly after a national forum in Tillabéri, held from October 29 to 31, where officials and civil society members assessed the conduct and accountability of NGOs working in the country.
According to journalist and political analyst Ibrahim Moussa, the decision was expected. He stated that the authorities have been signalling their intention to introduce stricter oversight for some time. While acknowledging the importance of transparency, he also warned that enforcing tighter regulations too abruptly could hinder critical humanitarian efforts, particularly in regions already facing severe challenges.
