• Niger and Switzerland signed three financing deals worth over $25 million.

• Funds will support education, small-scale irrigation, and youth and women in agribusiness.

• Programs will run until June 2029, addressing schooling gaps and climate risks in farming.

Niger has secured CFA14 billion (over $25 million) in three financing deals signed on September 16 with Switzerland. The funds will support education, small-scale irrigation, and agricultural entrepreneurship.

One agreement will strengthen the education system and contribute to the common education fund, which prioritizes school infrastructure. Another will benefit more than 5,000 family farms by improving agricultural financing and securing land in the regions of Dosso and Maradi. The third will promote youth and women in agricultural entrepreneurship by boosting financial inclusion and directly involving them in the sustainable development of value chains.

“I am very pleased with the dynamic partnership between Niger and Switzerland, which is reflected today in the official launch of these three programs. I wish everyone success in their work and commitment to Niger’s development,” said Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Yaou Sangaré.

This partnership follows two other agreements signed in June, highlighting the strengthening of bilateral relations.

Niger’s education system is expanding amid strong demographic pressure but continues to face major challenges. A World Bank report published in 2024 found that about 50% of children aged 7 to 16 are not enrolled in school. The sector also suffers from a lack of infrastructure, poor-quality facilities, and insecurity.

The government has pledged to improve education through several programs and partnerships, including the Learning Improvement for Results in Education (LIRE) project, which aims to expand access and raise teaching quality.

In agriculture, Niger is one of the countries most exposed to extreme droughts and high temperatures. The World Bank says more investment in irrigation is crucial to stabilizing farm output and strengthening the food system. It highlights small and medium-scale irrigation as a cost-effective solution for public finances that can be “very effective.”

The three new agreements with Switzerland will be implemented until June 2029.