Niger has secured 14 billion FCFA (around $22 million) in development funding from Switzerland to strengthen education, small-scale irrigation, and agricultural entrepreneurship. The agreements were signed on September 16, 2025, in Niamey by Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, and Swiss Ambassador Patrick Egloff, following their audience with President General Abdourahamane Tiani. According to officials, the financing will prioritize professional training for young people, food security, and rural resilience in the face of economic and climate challenges. The initiative also seeks to empower small-scale farmers, boost agricultural productivity, and encourage entrepreneurship in rural communities.
Switzerland, which has maintained a cooperation office in Niamey since 1978, said the package reflects its long-term commitment to Niger’s development agenda and to strengthening bilateral ties. “This support will help improve livelihoods while consolidating the friendship and cooperation between our two nations,” Ambassador Egloff noted.For Niger, still grappling with instability and food insecurity, the funding is expected to provide crucial support in addressing pressing socio-economic challenges while promoting sustainable growth.
