23 Facts About Niger

1. In 1991, Niger ended military and single-party rule through a National Conference that was to prepare for the democratization of the country.

2. Niger is a republic, with a semi-presidential government based on the 1999 constitution that brought about the country's Fifth Republic.

3. The Union of Workers' Syndicates of Niger is the only trade union.

4. Niger is a developing, landlocked African nation whose northern area includes the Sahara Desert.

5. In 1991, Niger sent a 400-man military contingent to join the American-led allied forces against Iraq during the Gulf War.

6. Niger is a key participant in the Trans-Saharan Counter-Terrorism program.

7. The Government of Niger is trying to attract new bids on the Agadem block for 2008.

8. Niger is in the heart of the Sahel, the transitional zone between the tropical West African coast and the Sahara Desert.

9. The National Museum of Niger, founded in 1959 in Niamey, has a zoo, a geological and mineral exhibition, and paleontology and prehistory museums.

10. Niger is a participant in the transnational Air Afrique, which provides international service, along with several other airlines.

11. Niger is one of the poorest nations on the earth with a UN Human Development Index of 2014 ranking it as 188th in the world.

12. Niger is on the border between Sahara and Sub-Sahara region.

13. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking near last on the United Nations Development Fund index of human development.

14. The most important donors in Niger are France, the European Union, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and various United Nations agencies.

15. On 18 December 1958, the Republic of Niger was officially created with Hamani Diori as the head of the Counsel of Ministers of the Republic of Niger.

16. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility.

17. In 2013, the government of Niger sought to increase its uranium revenue by subjecting the two mining companies to a 2006 Mining Law.

18. Niger is a member of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa.

19. Niger is divided into 7 Regions and one capital district.

20. Law enforcement in Niger is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense through the National Gendarmerie and the Ministry of the Interior through the National Police and the National Guard.

21. Niger is a landlocked nation in West Africa located along the border between the Sahara and Sub-Saharan regions.

22. On 11 July 1960, Niger decided to leave the French Community and acquired full independence on 3 August 1960 with Diori as its first president.

23. Niger is a developing country, which consistently ranks near the bottom in the United Nations' Human Development Index; it was ranked 187th of 188 countries for 2015 and 189th out of 189 countries in the 2018 report.