COUNTRY OVERVIEW NIGER An Introduction to the Country Economy and the National Innovation System

AID 11346 Emerging African Innovation Leaders G7 Exchange & Empowerment Program for enabling Innovation within the Next Production Revolution

Work Package 1

in collaboration with COUNTRY OVERVIEW: NIGER An Introduction to the Country Economy and the National Innovation System

This report describes Niger’s National Innovation System (NIS) under the lens of the Next Production Revolution (NPR). After summarizing the main characteristics of the country’s economy, it introduces the NIS players and institutions that are considered to sustain the diffusion of NPR technologies and business models across the main domestic industries. The report is primarily aimed at introducing all the members of the Emerging African Innovation Leaders project, including trainers and mentors, to the country’s economy, its potential for the NPR technologies and the NIS components that can foster the embracement of the NPR in Niger. The report content may also be of interest to local and international policymakers, enterprises and civil sector organizations that are working toward the NPR adoption in the country.

The document was produced by Leonardo Rosciarelli between April and August 2018 as a researcher of Politecnico di Torino and the Energy Center Initiative. The report is part of a serie of six Country Overviews, which were designed and reviewed by the “Emerging African Innovation Leaders” research team composed by Pierluigi Leone and Leonardo Rosciarelli from Politecnico di Torino, and Emanuela Colombo, Paola Garrone, Andrea Gumina, Fabio Lamperti, Boris Mrkajic, Felipe Repetto, Nicolo’ Stevanato and Stefano Pistolese from Politecnico di Milano.

AID 11346 Emerging African Innovation Leaders G7 Exchange & Empowerment Program for enabling Innovation within the Next Production Revolution

in collaboration with

Graphic design: Silvia Isaia

2 Table of Contents

Executive Summary 5 1 Country overview 7 1.1 General description 7 1.2 Economy 8 1.3 Industry structure 9 1.4 Natural resources 10 1.5 Smart and integrated infrastructure (Enabling quality infrastructures) 11 1.5.1 Energy 11 1.5.2. Mobility 12 1.5.3. Digitalization 13 1.6 Human resources 14 1.7 Entrepreneurship 14 1.8 Science, research and innovation 15 2 Institutions of the national innovation system 17 2.1 Firms 17 2.2 Government 18 2.3 Universities 20 2.4 Innovation and enterprise support institutions 20 2.5 Linkages between the institutions 21 3 Conclusions 23 3.1 Key actors in the national innovation system 23 3.1.1. National agency for industrial property and innovation promotion (AN2PI) 23 3.1.2. National agency for information society (ANSI) 23 3.1.3. University Dan Dicko Dankoulodo of Maradi 23 3.1.4. Niger SME incubator centre (CIPMEN) 24 3.2 Challenges, opportunities and learning needs 24 Appendix A 27 References 28

in collaboration with 3 4 This report aims at describing and a great amount of people live in Executive analysing the National Innovation extreme poverty and this fact System (NIS) of Niger, inspecting affects mostly its current ranking Summary the topic, the key institutions and in international standards and statistics. Recently, in Niger of the Next Production Revolution there were some experiences of (NPR).the specific actors under the lens international collaborations that brought foreign investments from France and China. However, real describes the country focusing industrial conglomerates have onThe several first Sectionimportant of aspects the report (e.g. yet to come and much of today's geography, politics, economy, production is obtained with industry structure, etc.) with the knowledge coming from foreign aim of providing an insight of the countries. The low performance local situation and to critically of Niger is also caused by a understand the starting point series of circumstances and for the spreading of the NPR. the fundamental lack of basic infrastructure for the mobility, sahelo-saharan countries and it transmission and distribution of presentsSpecifically, quite Niger good is onepromising of the utility services such as digital or features for future development. energy ones. Its strategical position makes it an irreplaceable crossroads The second section provides a to connect the southern african synthetic but insightful picture of nations with the north of the the country’s National Innovation continent and especially with the System and critically analyses European markets. the major categories of actors. Moreover, its abundance of natural Although some actions have been resources, both of minerals and launched in the last ten years of energy materials, and its large in terms of capacity building availability of uncultivated lands and improving the conditions make it particularly prearranged of civil society, the biggest for future expansion. It presents steps are still to be taken. One few disparities in terms of living of these is the reduction of the standard if considering the amount of informal markets and kind of settlement: while urban the promotion of constructive population starts to experience investments on the territory. It an increasing number of services, is perhaps necessary to push the great amount of rural investments towards the creation population still relies on basic of new infrastructures and new services that can stimulate the self-agriculture. In addition, still creation of both industrial and survival methods like fishery or

in collaboration with 5 innovative clusters, being truly that could become favourable to capable of overturning the current this action purpose. Then, related situation of the Nigerien economy. In fact, many of the business actions undertaken in the country seem to the second and final part, after to be the result of individualistic cross-analyseda critical assessment, with the five three key drives, with the absence of real NPR-enablingsectors have been transformation identified and coordination centres aimed at optimizing the innovation and Digitalization. constructive process. In fact, the fields of Energy, Mobility and promotion of investments is still at the beginning and there are areas of development especially in the urban areas surrounding the capital, where the major interconnections with the nearby French-speaking countries take place. Finally, despite the more education-oriented policy of the last few years, resources for higher or university education are lacking and the drop-out threshold for primary schools is still at the lowest in the world. As highlighted in the previous section, this may force the country to rely on external aid, thus exposing it to various factors of instability.

Finally, the third section has the aim of exploring key actors of the NIS, highlighting their degree and kind of involvement, actions and potential to foster the spreading of the NPR in Niger and then to

terms of possible actions to be takensummarize to improve the main the findings national in ecosystem and promote a range of solutions to common problems. So, we highlighted two agencies, a university and a possible incubator

6 season, no rainfall, mean presents a synthetic overview of temperature of 35° C, 1. theThis Nigerien first Section framework of thein terms report of • November-February: winter socio-political and infrastructural with minimum temperature of aspects. This kind of analysis is 10° C, necessary to proceed in further • March-May: hot season with Country chapters to a critical assessment of maximum and minimum the country innovation ecosystem temperature of 45° C and 25° C overview respectively. 1.1and definition General of its description own peculiarities. After the adoption of the Niger is a Sahelo-Saharan, constitution on the 25th of landlocked, low-income country November 2010, Niger is under a multi-party-political system, with statistics, approximately 17 a semi-presidential republican millionthat had, basedinhabitants on official in national 2012 regime. Indeed, the president is (20 millions estimated in 2017). elected by universal suffrage and Most of them are settled in rural instructs the prime minister to communities (84%) and the form the government. approximate population density In 2017, after many years of is 13,5 people per km2. The most undesired primacy for the lowest diffused religion is Sunni Islam world Human Development (80%), followed by Christian and Index, Niger registered feeble animist minorities. improvements that are still Malaria is one of the main problems hindered by corruption and the of the country (more than 3 million increasing social inequality. At cases diagnosed in 2016) followed the same time, Niger has become by malnutrition, which affects the center of the renovated about 15% of the total population, international commitment for the while 30% of cases end up with Sahel region, strategic for the serious consequences. control of many natural resources The capital of Niger is Niamey and geopolitics equilibria. Notably, and it is located, as the main urban Italy only recently decided centres, in the southern area of the to re-establish its diplomatic country. headquarters in Niamey, with a decision taken on October 2016. The climate varies across the Beyond Italy, other countries country but it is roughly divided showed interest for this region into 4 bands: with France that plays the key • June-September: raining season, role for its former colonial rule mean temperature of 33° C, and the interest in uranium ore. • October-mid November: humid France continues to import 30%

in collaboration with 7 of its uranium requirements from In 2016 the total exported goods this country. China, Sud Africa, amounted to almost $US 600 India, United States, Canada and million, 48% of which went toward Germany are the other countries France, while 38% went toward that have appeared in Niger in West African countries, 7% to recent years. Switzerland and 5% to USA. Exports to Asian countries 1.2 Economy totally switched from China to Japan and other Niger has experienced an increase Asia countries (mainly in wellbeing in the last 10 years, Southeast Asia) in 2014- as demonstrated by the rise of 2015, but almost critically GDP, during which period the arrested in 2016. growth rate varied from peaks Imports were valued at $US 1.7 of +8 to +2% per year. In 2012, billion in 2016, and are quite more than 7.7 million people more differentiated than exports, were between 15 and 64 years but France still holds a large old and almost 43% of them were market share of around 31%, inactive or not occupied as they followed by West-Africa and were not looking for a job, fraction China with both 17%. USA that counts many women left at and Japan respectively home. When active labour force hold 6% and 4% of the is taken into consideration the imports to Niger, while the unemployment rate appears top ranked European G7 to be a relatively low 2.4%, countries are Germany (3%) compared to the world value that and Italy (1%). is around 5.5%. Approximately 4 Principal export products, that out of 5 individuals work in the accounted for $US 927 thousand agricultural sector and only 9% in 2016, slowed down in the in trade and vehicle repair that is past years and uranium ores and the second most labour intensive concentrates that amounted sector. to $US 298,935 were the principal voice of trade, followed by petroleum oil quantityIn the last of five import years thegoods Import/ the and palm oil, respectively countryExport ratio,purchases defined per unit as theof accounting for $US exported goods, nearly doubled: 151,007 and $US 129,758. it increased from 1.38 in 2012 to Due to the governmental over 2.8 in 2016. That rise was incentives to Nigerien aircraft caused mainly by the dramatic companies, Aircraft parts export de-growth of 57% from represent the highest amount of 2013 to 2016. industrial trade in the last 5 years

8 Export with $US 368,038, followed by large role in Niger’s economy as milled rice ($US 137,405), cement it runs several large uranium ores $US 600 million and medicaments. It is important mines in northern Niger. Gold The total exported goods to mention that ICT’s imports and mining was also a source of FDI in 2016 of which trade are increasing and Niger but it became less attractive after 48% falls now in TOP 3 countries for 2014 due to two main factors. France absorption of communication On one side it was experienced a infrastructures, as we will further worldwide falling of gold prices 38% analyse in next chapters. that lasted for two years. On the West African countries Niger is also a member of trade other side, the Nigerien extractive and economic unions, among 7% others: the discovery of easily accessible Switzerland • African Economic Community goldindustry deposits came in into the conflictnorth of with the (AEC) country, which generated a gold 5% • Economic Community of West rush and a subsequent formation USA African States (ECOWAS) of a big informal economy. • West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) – 1.3 Industry structure Import Achieved monetary union (CFA A rough snapshot of Niger franc, ISO 4217 code: XOF) and economy represents the country $US 1.7 billion central Bank of West African as mainly agricultural, while the in 2016 and are quite more States (Dakar, Senegal) industry sector seems to be much differentiated than exports • Community of Sahel-Saharan less developed, since the primary 31% States (CEN-SAD) sector weights for more than 45% France • G5-Sahel of the national GDP. Agricultural key products are mainly cowpeas, 17% As far as Foreign Direct cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, West-Africa and China Investments cassava (manioc), rice while concerned, they increased after farming involves cattle, sheep, (FDI) inflows are 6% 2008 when China entered the goats, camels, donkeys, horses and USA market raising annual maximum poultry. Value added per worker in 2011 with more than $US 1 in agriculture was around $US 4% billion. Indeed, since year 2000, 833 per worker in 2016, that is Japan there has been trace of many slightly below the Kenya’s value of

EUROPEAN G7 COUNTRIES lower if compared to the major Chinese official development African$US 841. economies This value is(Nigeria significantly and finance projects identified in the 3% South Africa around $US 9,000 per region, and when they finished Germany down year by year. In 2016, they worker). in 2011, flows of FDI dropped resulted equal to $US 292 million. The Niger’s industrial sectors, 1% Historically the French uranium- where around 12% of the labour Italy mining company AREVA plays a force operates, is characterised

in collaboration with 9 by a slightly better productivity, which suggests that the major that is nowadays around $US 2,400 per worker. These values to be on intermediate goods are at peak in manufacturing consumptionaffluence of informaland operative sector costs. has sector with $US 4,600 US per worker. Leading sectors in these 1.4 Natural resources terms in Niger appears to be for a Key natural resources for long time the food and beverages the country are clearly raw industry production that see their materials like uranium and percentage weight on the total thorium ore in the north, manufacturing value added stable as well as the gold, which is at 20%. Chemical products on also relatively easily accessible. the other hand show an increasing Despite that fact, the mining and Agriculture is the quarrying sector is registering a strong decrease in the last four only increasing years diminishing of about 13.4%

sector, while the petroleum represents an other primary interestingfrom 2012. source In addition, of income refined that accounts for 16% of sectors like forestry, total exports in 2016. Total hunting and fishing oil reserves amounted to nearly 150 million of barrels are suffering a as of 2017. Agriculture is decline of around the only increasing sector, while the other primary sectors 5.6% yearly are suffering a decline of around penetration over the last decade, 5.6%like forestry, yearly, and hunting this is and why fishing Niger positioning themselves in leading is suffering a decline in the forest position while becoming one of area of around 30 percent year- the most productive activity in the on-year since 1990. There are country. also some active procurement It is estimated that the informal plans to start fostering solar market has an impact of 60% power exploitation that is on the GDP and it is estimated to abundant in the region, and grow in the coming years, even in proportion more feasible if not with the expected rates than wind. Indeed wind for neighbouring countries (e.g. speed at 50m is found to be 6.53 Nigeria, Mali). However, it has a wind power formation that is around 10%, m/s, with an potential for low impact on gross fixed capital generation of 295 W/m²,

10 Agriculture decreasing drastically with height electricity, trend that is steadily and location. In Niamey it is found increasing due to the rising birth The primary sector weights for a global average wind speed of 3.42 rate. Data regarding electrification more than rates are increasing in availability 45% construction of energy production during the recent years and plantsm/s at 10unworkable meters high, in makingthe region. the provide a more realistic picture of the national GDP On the other hand, if we raise of the current situation. Today the altitude and reach 100 meters, the national grid covers approximately the 28% of the national territory, Value added but it is only serving the 11,6% of $US 833 northernnational average desert regions. grows to 7.72 m/s the total population. Therefore, in Thewith global peaks solar of even atlas 8.5 gives m/s values in the of 2016 only 600 locations disposed per worker in agriculture in 2016 global solar horizontal irradiation of a connection with conventional 2 Agriculture is the only per year increasing sector, while the from north to south with potential Niger is nowadays other primary sectors like generationof 2,400-2,800 from kWh/mPVs equals to 1.9- one of the less forestry, hunting and fishing p per year, and these are suffering a decline of are likely to be very high values in energivorous around 5.6% yearly. 1.7Africa MWh/MW and especially in the world. Niger is suffering a decline in countries in the the forest area of around 1.5 Smart and integrated world. 30% infrastructure year-on-year since 1990 (Enabling quality In the last 10 infrastructures) years the country

Industry 1.5.1 Energy experienced an The Niger’s industrial sectors, Niger is nowadays one of the increasing trend where around less energivorous countries in the world. It presents a yearly 12% per capita energy consumption energy supply through high of the labour force operates, equal to 0.15 tons of equivalent oil voltage transmission lines, while is characterised by a slightly and an electricity consumption approximately 331,000 localities better productivity, that is of 60 kWh. Despite this preface, have low voltage network nowadays around in the last 10 years the country connection. $US 2,400 experienced an increasing trend in The electricity production per worker electricity access for urban areas, relies above all on fossil fuels, These values are at peak in while overall effects contained manufacturing sector with due to rural areas slowing action, oil products, with conversion in where most of the people lives. traditionalmainly diesel thermal and power other plants. refined In

$US 4,600 This resilience to national grid the Dosso region, there the plan of per worker penetration turns today in roughly 3 million of household without dam in the country whose work a construction of the first electrical

in collaboration with 11 will end in 2020, with an installed where and when necessary). On capacity of 130 MW. The energy ministry has also used for private transportation, expressed its intention to build a industriesthe other hand, and for refined the autonomous oil is mainly 50 MW solar power plant in the electricity production. Road coverage Agadez region to meet the growing Nigeria road transport system demand for energy and a 60 MW 1.5.2 Mobility can rely on a Nowadays, Nigerien road total infrastructure region. The total estimated cost of transport system can rely on a total of about thehybrid operation thermal/solar is around in the $US Zinder 350 infrastructure of about 20,300 20,300 km million. km, out of which only 4,700 km out of which only Indeed energy infrastructures paved and mainly concentrated like transmission lines and in urban city centres and their 4,700 km generating stations are mainly neighbourhoods. Recently, the paved located in the south region that road system started suffering for and mainly concentrated in is urbanized, while very few urban city centres and their transmission lines are located like the increased number of over- neighbourhoods between the cities of Agadez weightedsome kind trucks of logistic and accident difficulties, per and Arlit. Niger is now facing the kilometre of road. Governments challenge to increase the reliability Rail system of electricity supply. Today it issues with the construction of Construction of new railways suffers from numerous electricity newpointed railways out to fulfilfor the these transport emerging of for the transport of goods outages, also reported by 78% of goods and passengers. The Niger and passengers 2020 partnership, the so called of 5% in total sales. Moreover, “Blueline project”, between public somelocal firms, local causingprivate an stakeholders annual loss authorities and the French Vincent Airports are standing up to these new Bolloré Group aims at connecting The country can rely on investment opportunities to Benin (Cotonou) to Ivory coast enlarge the distribution lines. (Abijan) passing through the Niger 10 These investments could be capital: Niamey. The construction paved an opportunity through which started in 2014 and nowadays the 20 enhancing the local penetration works are still on going. They now of electrical appliances both stopped in the Dosso region, 130 unpaved airports with a total transport volume for industrial and domestic km far from the capital and there of approximately applications. 15,000 the other energy carriers, theare entirestill some project unfinished within 2020.stretches passenger per year Regarding the final uses of Despitein Benin. Theythis supposedlack of toexisting finish mostly coming from the physical infrastructure, as well bordering countries expenditurebiofuels and in wastes the country are the firstand as to-date investments in it, areconsumption mainly used items for of finalresidential energy Niger’s strategy is to focus on purposes (e.g. kitchen, heating infrastructural projects related to

12 road and railways. The country is telecommunication operators actually trying to attract foreign with own licence and only two investments for the construction (Niger Télécoms S.A. and Orange of transport infrastructure, with the goal of leveraging its strategic CELTEL, on the other hand, holds position in connecting sub- theNiger largest S.A.) market have fixed share line in mobile cables. Saharan region with the telephony equal to 55% of the total, Northern African countries. making it the largest operator Finally, the country can rely in the country. With respect to on 10 paved and 20 unpaved mobile broadband, all of them airports with a total transport have 3G connection system with volume of approximately the exception of Niger Télécoms 15,000 passenger per year, that owns GSM (2G) technology. mostly coming from the bordering Despite this premise, if we look countries. In the past years, backward, the digital sector companies operating at national recently made great progresses. airports suffered from the lack of availability of replacement parts The government on site. invested 1.5.3 Digitalization in optic fibre Twenty million people live in Niger today and millions still installations do not yet have real access to the potential offered by the Year after year, the number of network. Therefore, only around contracts’ registrations has 7 million have access to internet grown faster than expected. and the total penetration rate that Fixed and mobile markets have is currently registering is around grown respectively of 111% and 38%; notably, almost mobile 171% when compared to 2009 devices provide all internet and the government invested in connections. These data bring optic fibre installations that now Niger in the last positions runs for almost 4,000 km on the regarding the digitalization national territory, of which slightly aspects as it has one of less than 3,000 km were realized in the lowest mobile internet 2016. The two broadband internet adoption rates in Africa, providers also invested in the ICT caused from high costs of infrastructure, trying to connect mobile broadband that represent Niger to the neighbourhood 23% of average per capita income (UNCTAD). with a connection speed that goescountries from with2.5 to optic mostly fibre 10 cables, Gbps.

Here, there are five main

in collaboration with 13 This increase in demand has unlocking the true potential of this kind of intervention is better to for knowledge and ICT assets from have in mind other measures. For abroad.significantly raised the demand example, one should even keep in mind that the Niger has one of the 1.6 Human resources highest pupils-teachers ratio in Human NGOs, such as the Italian Red primary education in the world Development Index Cross, claim that the real need that is between 35 and 40, fact that (HDI) today for Niger is not so much emphasize the needs to expand 0.354 security but rather a real the teaching staff. But education now ranking 189th in the development that cannot start in Niger is a struggling sector as world without education. The lack of an the government is spending at adequate educational system in the moment around 6% of GDP Niger is there for all to see: large (UNESCO) while literacy rates still remain extremely low: around Education in Niger Large amounts of 24% for young people while for is a struggling sector as the adults it remains equal to 15%. government is spending at the children drop their moment around studies before 1.7 Entrepreneurship 6% of GDP Moving to entrepreneurship (UNESCO) the end of the attitude, Niger takes place below while literacy rates still remain compulsory period, 100th position in most of the world extremely low: around rankings for present innovation 24% which they fix up and business performance. for young people while Nevertheless, this lack can to 14 years old for adults it remains equal to become a future opportunity also students looking at of some recent Nigerien 15% government interventions, amounts of children drop their studies before the end of the position in Sub-Saharan countries Entrepreneurship compulsory period, which they pushing the country up to the first in terms of ease of starting a new Niger takes place below business. They made enforcing Indeed 30% of school age children contracts easier by creating a 100th position fix up to 14 years old students. are out of school and it is now specialized commercial court in in most mandatory for the government Niamey and they adopted a new of the world rankings for present innovation and business performance Human Development Index (HDI), result achieved was therefore to significantly th improve Niger now ranking 189 in the world, thecode streamlining of civil procedures. of the necessary A first HDI value of 0.354. To reach that procedures to request any type target they will try to raise the of permit, whether it be for scholarship threshold to 16 years operation, construction or any old within 2024. By the way, for

14 other kind. Indeed, now in Niger 1.8 Science, research permits allowance takes only and innovation three practices on average. After 2012 it offers VAT-inclusive tax country does not yet seem to take exemptions depending on the Scientific production in the size of the business. Additionally, particularly clear if one goes potential tax exemptions include throughoff significantly. various world This rankings, become start-up costs, property, industrial as for example the Scimago one. Here Niger is ranked 31st in the and materials required for Africa in 2016 and 141st worldwide productionand commercial and energy profits, use. services as it produced a total of 158 As we saw from the previous chapters, Niger is growing also in science, of which 48 were about agriculturecitable documents topics. inThis each could field be of The number of an interesting data since it probably shows an increasing of interest for patent applications this subject inside the country and is rising. This trend potentially enhanced through Next Production technologies such as is driven mainly smart agriculture. However, with by Nigerien people seven researchers per million inhabitants so much work has living abroad, who to be done in order to improve applied for 114 awareness on key national topics. For what concern the number of out of 121 total patent applications, their number patents in 2016 is rising. This trend is drove mainly by Nigerien people living abroad, who applied for 114 out of 121 term of population productivity. total patents in 2016 (WIPO). The remarking growth rate for per year is driving up the charts toGDP the PPP/workerNiger in global of rankings almost and 3% especially if we look at regional ones. Anyway, there is still a long way to go on many different Women participation as an example is under the regional average,fields. arising also from the female higher drop rates in education starting from 13 years.

in collaboration with 15 16 The following section will theft and monitoring crops climate exhaustively introduce the most resiliency or micro-sensors for 2. important actors which constitutes smart irrigation. Despite these the Nigerien ecosystem. We will lack shortly present their features of real centers of attraction and and main activities, exploring the collaborationfirst attempts, ,Niger where feels the the various public and private institutions actors of the entrepreneurship Institutions that could lead to enable the Next environment can start interacting of the national Production Revolution. together. innovation 2.1 Firms in the country need for a loan, At least three out of five companies After century beginning marked rate that grows if only small system by severe stagnation, today the Nigerien business environment The Niger feels the seems to be recovering, albeit slowly. The statistical survey lack of real centers carried out in 2017 by the World of attraction and Bank highlights a very fragmented reality composed mainly of SMEs collaboration, (more than 70% of registered where the various actors in the country) in contrast with the informal sector. The actors of the

formation, with less than 15 years entrepreneurship ofgreat operation, part of and firms 86% is ofof recentthem environment can formally registered when they started operations in the country. start interacting In addition, most of local SMEs do together not use any licensed technology produced abroad and additionally it seems they are the more enterprises are concerned. From reluctant agents to introduce the questionnaire, However, there a process of innovation in the is no evidence of a low rate of country, exception made for some acceptance of loans by banks, but small emerging realities. Indeed, rather it emerges that many of many start-ups recently born in these companies do not rely on exploiting the potential of frugal banks for funding. innovation, aiming to improve On the other hand, in Niger there the living standards of subsistence are also a number of state-owned farmers. In some other cases, other and parastatal companies for explores also high-tech solutions the supply of primary services like drone scanning for preventing and some joint ventures for raw

in collaboration with 17 materials extraction. Below we In 2003 it was established the propose a list of the main state National Private Investors Council companies operating in different (CNIP), chaired by the Prime sectors, which are obviously Minister, with President of “Chambre small agencies compared to de Commerce et d'Industrie du other international companies Niger” CCAIAN (board of trade) operating in the respective sector. and the Minister of Commerce Here we have: as ViceChairs, striving to • Air Niamey, State airline company enhance the private sector • Escadrille Nationale du Niger, in the region. They expect State airline company to meet this challenge by • Niger airlines, State airline establishing a dialogue between company the public and private sector, not • COMINAK, General mining Joint excluding partnerships as well. state uranium mining venture An important capacity building with Areva (France) project was the one in tight • NIGELEC, parastatal conventional collaboration with the African electricity generation company; Capacity Building Foundation • Sociéte Nigerienne de Transports called Analysis and Forward- de Voyageurs, State-owned Looking Development Unit passenger transportation (CAPED). It started in 2002 • SOMAIR, General mining joint and ended in 2013 and lasted state uranium mining venture for the following two years as with Areva (France) a think-thank in the country • SONIDEP, State oil and gas and it supplied, with a total exploration & production grant amount of $US 3.1 billion, company the know-how capacities to Niger • SONITEL now NIGER Télécom governmental staff for formulation Telecommunications, Fixed line and management of policies and telecommunications carrier development programs. It is thanks to this kind of initiatives 2.2 Government that in 2012 Niger proposed For what concerns the governmental environment, it has undergone Economic Development Plan its first three-year Social and profound upheaval in the last 20 (PDES), revisited and updated years also because of frequent coups, in May 2017 for the yet to the last of them happened in 2010. In parallel, there were numerous of the operation is estimated come five years. The total cost initiatives in collaboration with between $US 20-25 billion over international agencies, with the aim the entire period, provided largely to provide a profound knowledge by the government expenditure and transfer in the country. the rest from private investments

18 for main infrastructural project. promoting sustainable increases Their mission is oriented towards in agricultural productivity and solving the millennium challenges, sales. Governments also putted including the resolution of food great efforts in investment on scarcity and access to primary judicial systems and transparency. education, as well as reducing By the way the great part of the child mortality and enabling basic manufacturing company managers infrastructure access. The focus regard to the courts as unfair, partial will be on large-scale irrigation and corrupt, so the reform of the infrastructure development and judicial system is now under the community-based, climate- study of a National Agency for Legal resilient agriculture, while Assistance.

Relevant governmental entities: • Presidency of Niger www.presidence.ne • Gateway to the Government www.gouv.ne • www.niger-gouv.org • MinistryUnofficial of Government Equipment Site www.equipement.gouv.ne • Ministry of Finance

• Ministry of Justice www.justice.gouv.newww.finances.gouv.ne • Ministry of National Education www.men.ne Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reform www.mfpt.gouv.ne • Ministry of Mines and Industry www.mines.gouv.ne • Administrative branches: National Agency of Civil Aviation www.anacniger.org • Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Post www.armniger.org • Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ARMP) www.armp-niger.org • Economic, Social and Cultural Council www.cesoc.ne • National Council for the Environment for Sustainable Development (CNEDD) www.cnedd.ne

in collaboration with 19 • Higher Council of Communication of Niger www.csc-niger.neHigh • Commissariat for Informatics and New Technologies of Information and Communication www.hcntic.ne • Directorate General of Taxes www.impots.gouv.ne • National Institute of Statistics www.stat-niger.org • Chambers of Commerce www.ccian.ne

2.3 Universities sciences and business. On the other The higher education system in Niger has a total of eleven Tahoua and especially Maradi deal hand, three universities of Zinder, institutions, 9 of which are public, and additionally some little as part of the Institut Universitaire with the scientific subjects mostly vocational schools. de technologie (IUT). This is The most relevant academic a common establishment in center in Niger is the University francophone countries and Abdou Moumouni of Niamey (UAM) as it counts for the major order degree in technical provides the equivalent of first number of enrolled student, subjects approximately 17,000 in 2016. civil engineering and urban . Zinder owns the Founded in the early seventies, planning department, it is also the oldest university. Tahoua the tourism and Other public universities are of agriculture department while very recent formation, like the Maradi owns civil, electrical one in the bigger region capitals and mechanical engineering departmets. Additionally they also operate since 2007. The whole have different departments for higherlike Maradi, education Tahoua system or Zinder is mainly that humanities. organized on the Francophone model. In addition, all universities 2.4 Innovation and provide courses for three-year enterprise support degree, but only few of them institutions allows the students go beyond The “Agence Nationale de la this level. The disciplines covered Propriété Industrielle et de la are among the most varied, the Promotion de l’innovation” (AN2PI) UAM provides mainly courses is placed under the supervision of on humanities, like arts, social the Ministry in charge of Industry.

20 At the same time, it serves as dedicated to the promotion a national relay to the African of science, technology, and Intellectual Property Organization innovation, linking innovations to market opportunities and 17 member countries, including Niger.(OAPI), It which serves is to the implement joint office state for In conclusion, in June 2017 an policy on industrial property articlefinancing. appeared on the national and promotion of innovation and press agency regarding the opening receives applications for property of a new state agency to support titles and to check their regularity technological innovation: the before transmission to OAPI. “Agence Nationale pour la Société It is worth to mention that the de l'Information” (ANSI). Recently, University Dan Dicko Dankulodo it appeared necessary for the de of Marady is pointed by the WIPO as a reference in the country of the High Commissioner for as Technology and Innovation Informationgovernment Technologyto reshape theby givingOffice Support Centers for the particular it new objectives on perpetual focus and projects of the university. In fact, the academic who cited a statement from the center in recent years has started, Councilevolving of ICTsMinisters, field. explains The ANP,that and it continues to promote a this agency aims to achieve the series of projects to improve the operational implementation of agricultural value chain through the national strategy of universal a crosscutting approach. In order access to ICT. Moreover, the agency to operationalize the research, will support emerging program the university has set up joint and projects of development of research units about agricultural the ICT in the national territory. sciences, mathematics, renewable ANSI can be a new and interesting engineering and a platform for platform to seed NPR and in Niger. technological innovation. In December 2017, the Islamic 2.5 Linkages between Development Corporation the institutions (ICD), the branch of the Islamic Niger have some historically Development Bank in charge of institutions, one example is the private sector, has signed a € 9 the Nigerien Council of Public million agreement with the Sahelo- Transport Users, known as CNUT, Saharan Bank for Investment a professional organization and Trade (BSIC) from Niger, to grouping importers and exporters support SMEs in the country. of goods and in general users of They also announced in January international transport services. 2018 the launch of "Engage", a Its mission was to enable firm-to- new platform that will be entirely firm dialogue to build bargaining

in collaboration with 21 tax, legal and economic advice. The national network of agriculture servicespower in atorder a reasonable to obtain sufficient cost. In chambers in Niger is responsible between,and efficient it is devoted transportation to research to regulate bilateral relationships and implementation of all between farmers and Ministry of agriculture. Niger used to offer the speed of public transport and incentives that are dependent on tomeasures control tothe improve evolution the of efficiency, costs. the size of the investment by the After 2010, Niger began to equip farmers and the number of jobs itself with a set of tools for public that could create. participation and involvement, thus attempting to carry out a reconstruction process. In 2012, the new elected government After 2010, Niger began to equip itself with a set of tools for public participation and involvement

created the House of Enterprise (Maison de l’Entreprise). This is a governmental enterprises hub with the scope to support SMEs and SMIs and improve the business climate. From a functional standpoint, the House now operates under the authority of the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts of Niger (CCIAN). They hope to achieve their goals by offering some sort of support services such as a Center for Commercial Formalities and an Investment Promotion Center for project monitoring, as well as providing

22 Once we have gathered all the in- one brought to the creation of the formation from section 1 and after AN2PI (“Agence Nationale de la 3. exploring the national structural Propriété Industrielle et de la Pro- composition in section 2, we can motion de l’innovation”). On one now give a few key actors that side, the AN2PI implements state could facilitate a future develop- policy on industrial property and ment of the nation. Furthermore, promotion of innovation while, on Conclusions we can bring to the attention of the other side it is in charge of re- the reader the actions believed to ceiving applications for property be the most promising to be taken, titles and checks for their regula- in order to lever the choice on the rity. learning needs necessary for the future AILs. 3.1.2 National agency for information society (ANSI) 3.1 Key actors in Local authorities have resolutely the national engaged Niger on the road to di- innovation system gital revolution but the demand Here few key innovation actors for ICT remains far from being acceptable thus offering many in- in shifting the above-mentioned vestment opportunities. The go- nationalthat could shift play will a be significant presented. role By vernment launched the national presenting this group, one could agency for information society have the ability to solicit different (“Agence Nationale pour la Societé levers, gaining the possibility to de l’information”) with the aim to obtain focus-oriented results and achieve the operational imple- catalyse sectors of interest within mentation of the national strate- the national innovation environ- gies on information and communi- ment. cation technologies.

3.1.1 National agency for 3.1.3 University Dan Dicko industrial property and Dankoulodo of Maradi innovation promotion (AN2PI) The industrial compartment could analysis of the education system, As briefly anticipated from the become one lever to develop Ni- the strengthening of human ca- ger economy. Particular empha- pital through the rehabilitation sis is placed by national entities of universities and public schools on transformation and industrial has been in Niger plan since 2008. valorisation of agro-pastoral pro- - ducts with high revenue potential. teruniversity program on techno- Among different actions, a first in Many actions have been carried logies was created including older out at the institutional level to pro- universities but also new-born mote industrial development and ones. This is the case of the Uni-

in collaboration with 23 versity Dan Dicko Dankoulodo of The country also showed a series Maradi, a fast growing university of promising features in terms of that is specializing in science, te- bureaucratic processes and go- chnology, engineering and mathe- vernmental system, coupled with matical (STEM) subjects. It is also a relevant availability of strategic a referee for the World Intellectual natural resources that could be Property Organization in the re- determining for the nation impro- gion together with AN2PI. may become crucial as the country 3.1.4 Niger SME incubator isvement. facing The its nextpeculiar five torenovation ten years centre (CIPMEN) momentum, which encompas- Small and Medium Enterprises are ses governmental programs for expected to be the national back- infrastructure, scholarship, pu- bone in future years. With the aim blic-private partnership and pri- The next five to ten at supporting SME, the CIPMEN vate initiatives. Being a landlocked years may become (“Centre Incubateur des PME au country, Niger has to rely mainly Niger”) born from a public private on neighbouring countries to ac- crucial as the partnership between the chamber cess world potentiality and con- country is facing its of commerce of Niger, the bank of nectivity, and then the geopolitical Africa and some private notable situation of the area could really peculiar renovation - affect this process. On the con- momentum, which nication, logistic or energy. Its trary, its strategic position could goalcompanies is to promote in fields likeand commusupport play a relevant role in the regional encompasses the development of technology contest. governmental based start-ups. The hub is loca- Nevertheless, indicators like wel- ted in Niamey and hosts nowadays lbeing, human development index programs for and others from relevant world infrastructure, more than 60 pre-incubated start- rankings and outlook remain un- ups.around It offers 20 incubated services like firms human and der the region average and strug- scholarship, public- capital empowerment, marketing gle to raise. private partnership and communication strategies and Having said that, many will be fu- accounting assistance. It is also ture challenges for the country. and private planned to become 100% private Niger has to solve issues about initiatives owned in the future 3 years. water scarcity and abate sub- sistence agriculture. Especially, 3.2 Challenging, agribusiness, given its relevan- opportunities and ce for national economy (45% of learning needs GDP), may represent an important Through the performed analysis, it sector where to transfer NPR ap- emerges that Niger started enhan- proaches that may increase pro- cing its potentiality and it is only ductivity and meanwhile incre- at the beginning of its journey. asing environmental resilience

24 including precision agriculture divide that still affect the country. and bioeconomy approaches. Finally, investments on mobility However, enabling infrastructure and energy networks and logistic for the NPR should be also provi- improvements may support and ded with drastic enhancement of enhance services availability for communication services to redu- ce as many as possible the digital citizen and local firms.

Leading Industries Crop and animal production, Construction of buildings hunting and related service & Civil engineering Manufacture of food products activities & Fishing & Specialized construction (ISIC code 10) NPR and aquaculture activities Enabling (ISIC codes 01 to 03) (ISIC codes 41 to 43) Transformations Enhanced performance of energy infrastructure could The construction of an extended Expand power grid coverage bring to an overall penetration of infrastructure could provide especially in rural areas Energy better technology for irrigation more electricity availability could help to improve life and then push to an increased quality with a rebound effect increasing the overall soil massive production. on the entire ecosystem. or river/waterproductivity. monitoring, Enhanced mobility in the case Improvement of paved roads of Niger agriculture could Perishability is a strong issue network could stimulate mean both better dispatching in arid countries and enhanced private-public investment Mobility of products, but also greater mobility could help overcome & FDIs. Prioritisation of availability of resources for this problem. railway and highway system cultivation and harvesting. development. Use of digital, high tech solution to plan and Use of digital solution for land project resilient building monitoring could smoothen Opportunities for enhanced and infrastructures. Use the effects of severe drought of massive data (e.g. for Digitalization management) to ensure better logisticperformance optimisation in delivering (e.g. flow andpopulation reduce the safety rate of in thefts/ the enhanced quality food. transport project definition) criminal/gangs,countryside. also increasing couldcomfort improve of the significantly obtained systemthe quality/safetyminimizing the or cost to afford it.

A few examples of the NPR potential for leading industries.

in collaboration with 25 26 Table A.1 presents an extended expert. Furthermore, each actor Appendix A list of possible key actors and related contacts for Niger. Actors have been selected according to andhas beenownership classified (e.g. accordingGovernment, to their relevance within the NIS, the specific type of institution according to an interviewed local Private, Public, etc.). University, Enterprise, etc./e.g.

Type of institution Actor & website Contact(s) & Ownership

National agency for industrial proper- BP 11 700 Niamey Industry and innovation ty and innovation promotion Email: [email protected] promotion agency [email protected] Government

http://www.an2pi.org/page-d-exemple/ National agency for information society National Statistics Institute, Niamey, Niger ICT supporting institution Telephone: (+227) 20722464 Governement

http://www.ansi.ne/organisation.php Croisement 3e Latérite et Niamey Nyala Niger SME incubator centre Start-up incubator Niamey Public-Private partnership Email: [email protected] http://www.cipmen.org/ Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture, Supporting Institution Industry and Crafts of Niger Telephone: (+227) 20 73 22 10 Government www.ccian.ne

Centre de Coordination de la Communication Gouvernementale (C.C.C.G) BP 220 NIAMEY-NIGER Government Tél. : 73.77.04 Government BP : 73.89.36 http://www.gouv.ne/ Email : [email protected] Tél./Fax. : 73.77.03 University Dan Dicko Dankoulodo of Address Avenue Mohamed VI, Maradi 465 Maradi Telephone (+227) 204 101 32 University Fax (+227) 204 101 33 Government - E-mail [email protected] http://www.univ-maradi.ne [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/univmara di/ Street:BP 10896 City:Niamey Abdou Moumouni University Post Code:10896 University Government Telephone: +227(20) 73-27-13 http://uam.refer.ne Fax: +227(20) 73-38-62

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