• The World Bank is preparing a $250 million grant-funded project to support SME financing in Niger.
• The project aligns with Niger’s national resilience and reform strategy under the PRSP framework.
• The initiative aims to expand medium- and long-term bank credit for local small and medium-sized enterprises.

The World Bank is preparing a financial sector support and SME financing project to stimulate Niger’s economy, Affouda Léon Biaou, the institution’s resident representative in Niger, said after a meeting held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.

Biaou said the initiative represents a project “with a total amount of $250 million in grants.” He added that discussions with the prime minister focused on “the presentation of technical discussions that took place with the various stakeholders involved in the project,” according to remarks reported by the Nigerien Press Agency.

The project is expected to allow banks to expand lending activities to local businesses, particularly through medium- and long-term financing. Financial institutions could also introduce new financial products tailored to the specific needs of SMEs, in order to address liquidity constraints and persistent difficulties in accessing credit.

In the landlocked Sahelian country, SMEs account for nearly 98% of active businesses but struggle to remain viable due to limited financial resources. This situation constrains their growth potential and reduces their contribution to job creation and wealth generation.

SG