(Ecofin Agency) - In the first review under the Extended credit Facility, published on December 15, 2017, IMF praised Niger government because they have placed demographic and gender issues on the forefront of their political agenda. “Implementation for results on the ground will now be key, to avoid rapid population growth undermining progress toward development objectives”, the report indicates.

IMF is also pleased with the government’s plan to formulate “a five-year gender action plan building on the updated National Gender Policy and draft legislation to keep girls in school longer and delay marriage and child-bearing”.

As far as young girls are concerned, on December 4, 2017, during the council of ministers, Niger has adopted a draft decree to keep girls at school till they are 16 at least, this, for a better management of the imbalanced demographic transition. To support this initiative, the French government has promised €10 million.