• Niger mandates public agencies to prioritize local goods procurement
• New import quotas aim to shield domestic industry from competition
• Measures support economic self-reliance, local production, job growth

Niger’s government has approved a draft decree requiring state agencies to give preference to locally made goods in public procurement.

According to a statement issued after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, all public bodies, state-owned enterprises, and organizations receiving government funding must purchase local products whenever available.

The government said the measure aims to promote the production, processing, marketing, and consumption of domestic goods, a key step toward diversifying and strengthening national value chains. Officials added that the decree supports Axis 3 of President Abdourahamane Tchiani’s development plan, which focuses on building production capacity and advancing economic self-reliance through the promotion of local industries.

At the same meeting, the Cabinet also approved a draft ordinance to restrict imports of foreign goods competing with domestic products by introducing import quotas.

Local manufacturers face strong competition from cheaper imported goods, a situation the government says undermines industry, discourages investment, and limits job growth.  Data from the National Institute of Statistics show the country’s manufacturing production index fell to 118 in the first quarter of 2025, down 5.5 percent from 124.6 a year earlier.

Through these measures, the government hopes to protect local industry, ensure domestic supply, strengthen self-sufficiency, reduce import dependence, and encourage local processing of raw materials.

Lydie Mobio