Niger is a West African country that shares a border with seven other countries: Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali. The country boasts one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in the world: Nearly 60% are under the age of 18.

However, the World Bank estimates that 41.8% (around 10 million people) are living in extreme poverty, and the nation has been the destination for large numbers of refugees from Nigeria and Mali.

This, coupled with a volatile security situation, low literacy and education levels, decreases in agricultural outputs, and climate change and natural disasters have made the country a key priority for RET in recent years.

In 2021, RET began working to promote girls’ access to quality education and empower women in the Tillabéri region by improving girls’ access, enrollment and retention rates in schools (primary and secondary), raising awareness in communities about the importance of girls’ education and women’s social and economic empowerment, including improving their income generation capacity through training and support. This program targeted:

900 out-of-school children;

2,520 primary and secondary school students;

1,000 female members of cooperatives;

180 school committee members, including 90 students; and

174 education staff, including teachers and school administrators.

As part of RET’s localization strategy, we’re working in partnership with SongES to build capacity of community-based organizations in Niger. By helping local groups build their capacity, we’re ensuring the long-term sustainability of projects and interventions we implement together.

In the Diffa region, we are working with refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to improve their livelihoods and economic inclusion amidst insecurity from armed groups.

By developing market gardening, supporting fish farmers in aquaculture feed production, and enhancing income-generating activities through training, cash grants, and financial inclusion initiatives, RET has helped create socioeconomic opportunities, reduce vulnerability, and improve self-reliance in one of the most fraught environments. This program targeted:

200 producers from the Sayam Camp for receipt of agricultural inputs;

100 individuals to receive cash grants; and

20 young people from the Diffa and Maine sites to receive vocational training and follow up initiatives to ensure their economic integration and success.