The European Union has just approved the disbursement of an amount of €31,000,000 or €20.3
billion CFA francs, in favour of Niger as part of the financing of the Comprehensive Response Plan for
COVID-19 developed by the Nigerien authorities.
Faced with the pandemic and its profound consequences on economic activity and access to services
The European Union has agreed with the Nigerien authorities to anticipate disbursement
from budget support to immediately support Niger's COVID-19 response plan.
Initially scheduled for June 2020, this payment will be made in May 2020. This disbursement will help the
Niger to cope by implementing health, economic and social measures.
Niger is currently facing a triple crisis:
security, health and food, the response to these crises having a significant impact on the situation
macroeconomic and financial of the country. For this reason, the budget support instrument is the most
adapted to ensure the necessary cash flow for priority expenditures. Two more
disbursements will be able to follow by the end of the year, based on general eligibility criteria, one
policy and policy dialogue, focusing on crisis response measures, accompanied by
support and capacity building measures.
The Ambassador of the European Union to Niger, Dr. Denisa-Elena IONETE, mentions: "At the moment,
budget support is the most appropriate instrument to respond to the Global Pandemic
of Coronavirus COVID 19 from the Government. This early disbursement was possible following the work
intense teams from the Ministry of Finance and the Delegation of the European Union, and a process
extraordinary decision-making of the Brussels authorities. The anticipation of this financing will make it possible
concrete and immediate support the authorities, on the basis of immediate priorities, in the implementation of the
response plan with its three pillars - health management, support for vulnerable populations and r economic impact, recognising the urgency of ensuring critical spending in the health
to prevent disease and save lives."
Under the banner "Team Europe", the European Union and its Member States support Niger in a <> synergistic and coordinated. Eu-Niger partnership to emerge strengthened from COVID-19 pandemic.
Several supports, more focused on health, agriculture, security and justice, as well as education, will be
announced shortly, the amount mobilized by the European institutions is around 200 million euros.