Niger is open to foreign trade, which represented 36% of the country's GDP in 2020 (World Bank). The country aims to implement the trade policy of the WAEMU and is integrated into the generalized system of preferences (GSP) of the EU. Customs duties are not very high. Production costs, limited credit facilities and import-export activities through the informal sector have limited the development of international trade. The country mainly exports gold, uranium, petroleum products, palm oil and food. The main imported products are rice, air vehicle parts, biological preparations and medicines, ammunition and weapons, palm oil, sugar and vehicles (Comtrade, 2020).
Niger's main trading partners are the European Union (France being both the country's first largest supplier and client), China (second supplier), Nigeria, the United States, Burkina Faso and Belgium.
Niger's trade balance is in deficit. In 2019, the trade balance deficit reached USD 1.2 billion (World Bank). In 2020, Niger exported USD 998 billion in goods, and imported USD 2.38 billion. Exports of services reached USD 206 million while imports amounted to USD 1.16 billion (WTO). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, global trade volumes decreased sharply. In the medium term, despite high commodity prices, the trade deficit is expected to remain high due to the implementation of large projects with high import content.
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 1,952 | 2,281 | 2,326 | 2,378 | 2,741 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 1,206 | 1,202 | 1,126 | 998 | 1,211 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 971 | 1,078 | 1,061 | 1,157 | 1,029 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 204 | 225 | 237 | 206 | 164 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 12 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 7 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 15 | -4 | 1 | -6 | 7 |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -748 | -1,079 | -1,200 | -1,351 | n/a |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 40 | 38 | 38 | 36 | 38 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2020 |
---|---|
France | 17.1% |
Mali | 8.7% |
Burkina Faso | 6.3% |
Canada | 4.4% |
Nigeria | 3.2% |
See More Countries | 60.4% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2020 |
---|---|
France | 22.3% |
China | 18.4% |
United States | 6.6% |
Belgium | 6.3% |
Thailand | 5.9% |
See More Countries | 40.4% |
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
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Latest Update: October 2022