• US suspended all immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance at its Niamey embassy from July 2025.
• Trade between the US and Niger fell sharply from $125.2 million in 2022 to $49.7 million in 2024.
• The visa suspension awaits US government’s response to "concerns regarding the government of Niger."

Since Niger’s 2023 military coup, Washington and Niamey have seen strained relations. This tension has slashed bilateral trade from $125.2 million in 2022 to $49.7 million in 2024.

On July 26, a US State Department spokesman confirmed the suspension of visa services at the US embassy in Niamey. Reuters reported that an internal memo dated 25 July announced the halt.

The suspension covers all immigrant and non-immigrant visas—including tourist, business, student, and immigration visas. Only diplomatic and official visa applications will proceed. The spokesman linked this freeze to unresolved US "concerns regarding the government of Niger."

Reuters also revealed that US consulates worldwide now scrutinize visa applications from Niger closely. The US flagged that 8% of Nigerien visitors and 27% of student visa holders currently overstay their visas.

The US and Niger previously maintained strong ties in development, security, and governance. However, the 2023 coup strained these bonds. In 2024, the US withdrew its troops from Niger, a significant rupture in their strategic partnership.

The political fallout triggered economic decline. Trade dropped sharply from $125.2 million in 2022 to $63.7 million in 2023, then further down to $49.7 million in 2024, per Trademap data.

At this point, it remains difficult to measure the long-term economic consequences of the visa suspension.

This article was initially published in French by Ingrid Haffiny (intern)

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum