The President of the Bank Group African Development (BAD), Sidi Ould Tah, and the Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Mahamane Zeine, sign, at the headquarters of the institution in Abidjan, a financing agreement of 144.7 million US dollars for improving access to energy and the competitiveness of the private sector in Niger.

Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Mahamane Zeine, and the President of the African Bank Group of development, Sidi Ould Tah, signed a financing agreement of $144.70 million US dollars to improve access to energy and competitiveness of the private sector in Niger.

The agreement, signed at the institution's headquarters in Abidjan, involves budget support from the African Development Fund, the Bank Group dealership window. It allows the authorities Nigeriens to implement phase 1 of the Governance Support Programme of the energy sector and competitiveness (PAGSEC).

The program will answer two major issues. On the one hand, it will remove the main constraints that affect the competitiveness of the economy, in particular access to energy, in order to consolidate economic recovery. On the other hand, it will focus on strengthening financial governance as well as transparency, with a focus on in particular on resilience factors (taking into account groups) vulnerable, gender and climate factors).

The Bank Group's support is aimed at ambitious energy goals, with the development of energy capacities renewable and the financial viability of the sector. It will help to increase national access to electricity from 22.5% to 30% by 2026, while Boosting the manufacturing industry's contribution to GDP from 2.5% to 3.8% %.

“It is with great pleasure that we We have just formalized this agreement, which is very important for Niger. It is a agreement that is part of our strong cooperation with the Group of the African Development Bank,” said the Prime Minister of Niger.

“The support of our Bank came to a This is an important moment and the process has led today to the establishment of program (which) aims to support the economic competitiveness of Niger and its resilience to multiple shocks through, in particular, the improvement of access to energy, the promotion of the private sector, the consolidation of fiscal framework and better consideration of vulnerable populations in public policies”, added Mr. Zeine, who also ensures functions as Minister of Economy and Finance of Niger, and in this capacity, of governor of the Bank Group for his country.