Lesson For President Buhari From Nigerien President

Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and his delegation met with 120 global investors and financiers in New York, as the country embarks on an accelerated programme of reforms to restore economic growth in that country.

The Niger Renaissance Programme aims to attract foreign direct investment by encouraging privatisation and driving economic diversification, while pursuing and implementing the global Sustainable Development Goals. The government had an ambitious $15bn growth and investment plan over the next three years.

Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou

Speaking at the Niger Economy Series on the eve of the US-Africa Business Forum in New York, President Issoufou shared his expectations from the round of meetings at the UN General Assembly. He said that as the world anticipated massive global political changes with the appointment of a new UN Secretary General, the election of a new US President and other major changes in the global order.

"My administration has worked hard to ensure that Niger is open for business" he said. "We are investing across a number of sectors and looking for strategic long-term partners. The country is northern Nigeria's most important trading partner and we offer a haven of stability in the region."

In extractives, Niger's oil refinery is already supplying the region with uranium, petroleum and other derivatives.

President Mahamadou Issoufou added: "Niger is an important global partner in providing peace and security in the region. Together with Nigeria and Algeria we are building the trans-Saharan gas pipeline to supply mainland Europe with its energy needs. New mining and investment codes make Niger an interesting market with regional reach, while agriculture and animal husbandry remain the backbone of our 3N initiative, 'Nigeriens Nourish Nigeriens'."

The Nigerien Economy Series took place on 20th September, on the fringes of the UN General Assembly. Niger is set to host the African Union Summit in 2019.