Overview of the Extractive Industries

The Republic of Niger has large reserves of uranium and in 2003 was the fourth largest producer in the world. Although uranium exports accounted for 62% of exports by value and contributed 4.3% of government revenue in 2003, uranium-mining is a declining sector. Gold mining has been traditionally done at small scale, yet gold production started in Niger's first commercial mine at Samira in late 2004. Gold contribution to the economy remains modest. Niger officially became an oil producer in 2011 with the opening of the country's first refinery in Zinder. Niger expects to produce about 20,000 barrels of fuel a day, initially just for the local market. Oil reserves in Niger are estimated at 480 million barrels.

Status of EITI Implementation

Niger was accepted by the EITI Board as EITI Compliant on 1 March 2011. Niger must be revalidated by 29 February 2016. Stakeholders in the process may request that the EITI Board requires a new Validation at any time within that period if they think the process needs reviewing.

Niger published its final validation report on 5 September 2010.

The first EITI report was approved by the multi-stakeholder group in October 2009. A second EITI report covering 2007-2009 was published on 19 January 2011. It is available on the EITI Niger website.

Niger was accepted as a Candidate Country on 27 September 2007.

Governance

The national committee is consultative multi-stakeholder group which oversees the implementation of theEITI in Niger. It is made up of three subcommittees: statistics and audits, capacity building and communications. Following the publication of a ministerial decree, the Permanent Secretariat of the EITI in Niger has acquired an autonomous management status. Mr. Foumaye Gado, the Minister of Mines, chairs the EITI multi-stakeholder group. Mr. Abdul Aziz Askia is the Permanent EITI Secretary and national coordinator, and his role is to serve as a focal point.

EITI Niger Focal Point

Askia Abdoul Aziz
Permanent Secretary
National Committee of the EITI Niger
Email: az_askia [at] yahoo [dot] fr

Companies operating*

Oil & gas companies: CNPC (China), SIPEX Sonatrach (Algeria)

Mining companies: SOMAIR (partially owned by Areva*), COMINAK (AREVA group affiliate), SOMINA (Sino Uranium affiliate), SML (Semafo affiliate)

* Note: Company list based on EITI research and is not conclusive

Further information about the status of EITI implementation in Niger can be provided by Regional Director Marie-Ange Kalenga at the EITI International Secretariat.