Niger has secured $100 million in funding (both a loan and a grant) from the World Bank to improve its local government services and decentralized management of the mining sector. The information was reported in a press release published by the institution on August 3.

Provided as part of the Governance of Extractives for Local Development Project and covid-19 Response Project, the financing will help strengthen and promote the implementation of policies, laws, and regulations on decentralization and sustainable management of mining. Specifically, it will increase access to decentralized basic services such as water, primary education, and health services, and improve budget execution at the municipal level. In addition to increasing and strengthening the management of revenues from extractive activities that are transferred to local governments, the funding will also increase the attractiveness of the mining sector for private sector investment, improve the monitoring of mining activities, and support the regularization and capacity-building of artisanal miners in good environmental and social practices.

“Given the unstable security context at the borders, the project will contribute to mitigating some of the drivers of fragility in the country. It will also contribute to building resilience by improving service delivery and strengthening local government capacity to manage resources and local development; including citizen engagement, mobilizing revenues from the extractive sector for the State and local governments, and creating jobs and livelihood opportunities for the communities, with a strong focus on women,” said Abel Bove, World Bank’s Senior Governance Specialist, and Task Team Leader for the project.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou