Case study - Niger

Question 1

What was Niger’s population in 2023

Answer 1

27.3 million

Question 2

What was Niger’s GDP per capita in 2023

Answer 2

$515, making it one of the lowest globally

Question 3

What are the 7 factors that have driven Niger’s detachment from from globalisation

Answer 3

Political instability, economic underdevelopment, geopolitical challenges, poverty and low human development, dependence on foreign aid and debt, environmental challenges, and weak governance and corruption

Question 4

Coups

Answer 4

A sudden decisive exercise of force in politics and especially the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group

Question 5

How many coups has Niger experienced since 1960, when was the most recent one

Answer 5

4, most recent being in July of 2023, when President Mohamed Bazoum was outset by the military, disrupting governance and international relationships

Question 6

How does the instability in Niger affect FDI

Answer 6

It discourages foreign investment and complicates trade relationships with the international community

Question 7

What happened after the 2023 coup to Niger (ECOWAS)

Answer 7

Niger faced economic sanctions from regional bodies such as ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and international partners

Question 8

What was the affect of the reduction of aid and restrictions on international trade in Niger (Global Ranking: Political Stability)

Answer 8

It isolated the country further, with its Global Ranking at 175th out of 195 countries in the fragile states index (2023) highlighting its vulnerability to conflict and political instability

Question 9

Infrastructure in Niger and its influence

Answer 9

Poor infrastructure such as inadequate transportation networks, making it difficult to connect to global supply chains or attract international businesses

Question 10

Where does Niger rank in World Economic Forums Global Competitiveness index (2019)

Answer 10

123rd out of 141 countries, highlighting its poor infrastructure and limited economic competitveness

Question 11

What is the influence of the dependence on agriculture in Niger

Answer 11

It is a largely non competitive sector on a global scale, limiting its capacity to engage in international trade

Question 12

What is Niger the 7th largest producer of

Answer 12

Uranium, but exports revenues have been unstable due to fluctuating global demand

Question 13

What percentage of the Niger population live below the poverty line

Answer 13

40%, with many relying on subsistence farming for survival

Question 14

What are some of Niger’s geographic limitations

Answer 14

It is a landlocked country within the Sahel region, complicating its access to major international markets and increases the cost of trade due to the reliance on neighbouring countries infrastructure and transport networks

Question 15

How many countries surround Niger

Answer 15

7, including conflict prone nations such as Mali, Nigeria, and Libya, which complicates access to sea ports for trade

Question 16

What are Nigers regional security issues

Answer 16

It is in a region which is affected by conflicts involving terrorist groups for example Boko Haram and insurgencies in neighbouring Mali, Libya and Nigeria, these conflicts disrupt trade, reduce investment, and make the region risky for global business

Question 17

What is a geographical factor which has affected Niger’s transport costs, and by how much

Answer 17

Landlocked, adds around 50% to the cost of imports and exports, further reducing trade with global markets

Question 18

Education and workforce within Niger and its affects

Answer 18

Low education and lack of a skilled workforce, makes it difficult to attract industries or service sectors that require a trained labour force hindering integration into the global economy

Question 19

Where does Niger rank on the Human Development Index (HDI) (2022)

Answer 19

189th out of 191 countries

Question 20

Life expectancy in Niger

Answer 20

61.6 years

Question 21

Literacy rates

Answer 21

35% of population above 15 years old is literate, limiting the potential workforce’s for engaging in higher value global industries

Question 22

Niger’s reliance on foreign aid

Answer 22

Heavily reliant on foreign aid and external financial assistance, dependence limits its economic sovereignty and ability to participate in global markets independently

Question 23

How much of Niger’s national budget is funded by foreign aid

Answer 23

40%

Question 24

Debt in Niger

Answer 24

Debt problems constrain its ability to invest in development projects that could enhance its global competitiveness

Question 25

How much of Niger's GDP stands for its external debt

Answer 25

50%, hampering its ability to invest in critical infrastructure for economic development

Question 26

What are some of the challenges Niger is likely to face due to climate change and other environmental factors

Answer 26

Desertification due to a large part of Niger being located within the Sahara Desert, Droughts, and poor soil quality, all negatively impact agriculture and limit Niger's ability to produce exportable goods, deepening its isolation with the global trade

Question 27

Water scarcity in Niger

Answer 27

Hampers agriculture and limits the potential for industrialisation or large scale farming for export purposes

Question 28

Desertification in Niger

Answer 28

80% of Niger's territory is covered by the Sahara desert, leaving very little land for agriculture

Question 29

Agriculture in Niger

Answer 29

Employs 80% of the workforce, but contributes only 40% to GDP, revealing its low productivity and vulnerability to climate change

Question 30

Corruption within Niger impact on FDI

Answer 30

Discourages foreign investment and participation in the global economy

Question 31

Where is Niger on the Corruption Percentage Index (2022)

Answer 31

123rd out of 180 countries