NIGER
Action in the south / Africa
AGRICULTURE IN NIGER
Agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing and forestry account for 44% of Niger’s GDP. But agriculture is essentially rain-fed and therefore subject to the vagaries of the weather. Niger suffers from chronic food insecurity due to recurrent natural and humanitarian crises. In Niger, the contribution of the primary sector to GDP has increased from 817 billion CFA francs to 1021 billion CFA francs (a 25% increase), while all other sectors recorded an increase of 20%. Agriculture is therefore an essential element of economic growth and its financing, both by banks and by decentralised financial systems, is important.
THE WORK OF SOS FAIM IN NIGER
In consortium with AZIMUT, SOS Faim has been supporting the Professional Association of Decentralised Financial Systems (AP/SFD) since 2017. The latter’s mission is to promote and defend the microfinance sector in Niger. The role of SOS Faim is to strengthen the Association and its members at different levels: management, internal control, capacity building, information and management systems, etc.
A review of the Association was carried out at the end of 2017, followed by a review of selected members in 2018. These reviews culminated in the production of a support plan for the Association, and of three support plans for its members. These plans were approved by local managers and implemented in 2019.
KEY FIGURES
There are currently 52 accredited decentralised financial systems in Niger that are members of AP/SFD. They account for 99% of outstanding loans and deposits in the microfinance sector.