2017 will be in Niger the year of reforms, the country’s President, Mahamadou Issoufou, announced during the 58th anniversary of the proclamation of the republic. The leader said the reforms would concern customs, taxes and the treasury and will help improve these structures’ performances.

In this framework, the customs sector will have a new system to record transactions, and major custom offices will be interconnected. In addition to these measures, transportation trucks will be tracked and a single office for formalities needed for vehicles to be put into circulation will be established.

Regarding taxes, the general management will have installed a computerized system to monitor taxes and taxpayers (SISIC in French). Also, new centres will be built and 300 enforcement officers will be recruited to identify and register all real estate properties in order to broaden its tax base.

Public Treasury will also get a computerized system to process transaction and a biometric file to “allow the management of State agents, salaries, bonuses of contractors, grants and allowances, in order to end all practices that do not conform with the management of these segments which are vital to the country’s growth,” said the President who highlighted that the reforms will help better mobilize internal resources and optimize spending.

Aaron Akinocho