The Minister in charge of Energy, Amadou Aïssata, announced on November 4 that 650 billion CFA francs would be needed to double access to energy by 2025 in Niger. The statement was made on the occasion of the first round table on accelerating access to electricity in Niger organized by Alliance Sahel with the support of its partners. The objective of the meeting was to present the National Strategy for Access to Electricity (SNAE) and to mobilize financing for it.

To this end, the Minister stated that this round table "intends to create a positive dynamic with the necessary accompanying measures, to commit resolutely and significantly to the objectives enshrined in terms of universal access and electricity coverage".

Taking part in the exchanges by videoconference, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini also spoke. Recognizing that access to electricity represents a real challenge that must be faced, he recalled his government's determination to face "this problem, which constitutes a major obstacle to the development and well-being of the populations". He goes on to argue that "the government is resolutely committed to the implementation of the national strategy for access to electricity".

Niger has the lowest electrification rate in the WAEMU area. A World Bank report, published last June, revealed that in 2018, only 19.5% of Nigerien households had access to electricity.

Mawulolo Ahlijah