After a slowdown in growth linked to COVID-19 in 2020, Niger’s economic recovery was hit by a series of climatic and security shocks in 2021 that deteriorated many economic and social indicators.
Unlike most countries in the region, Niger showed a certain resilience in 2020 and avoided an economic recession. GDP growth reached 3.6% thanks to strong agricultural production. However, the economic recovery that was underway at the start of 2021 was hit hard by a severe drought and soaring insecurity. Cereal production collapsed by 38% in autumn 2021 due to disrupted rainfall cycles in some regions, pest infestation of several crops and deadly terrorist attacks in rural areas. The insecurity situation worsened when the country experienced 335 violent events in 2021, leading to significant economic disruption, including a reduction in agricultural production and productivity.
