SIHMA

Researching Human Migration across Africa

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30 Sep

Humanitarian and Migration Dynamics in Niger: A Regional Analysis

Niger occupies a pivotal role in West Africa’s asylum and migration landscape, shaped by intersecting pressures of regional conflict, environmental stressors, and political volatility. Bordered by Burkina Faso, Libya, Nigeria, Mali, and Chad all affected by varying degrees of insecurity the country has experienced sustained displacement, particularly in the regions of Tillaberi, Tahoua, Diffa, and Maradi. These movements are compounded by climate-related events such as flooding and drought, which exacerbate rural poverty and place additional strain on public infrastructure.

 

Following the military takeover in July 2023, humanitarian operations led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have continued under a continuity framework. UNHCR’s approach in Niger is anchored in the Nexus model, which integrates humanitarian response with development and peacebuilding efforts. This strategy emphasizes community-based protection, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations including women and children. Niger has also played a formative role in regional refugee management through its implementation of the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM), facilitating the evacuation and safe passage of refugees from Libya (UNHCR, 2024).

As of 2024, Niger hosts over 580,000 individuals of concern. This population comprises internally displaced persons (48%), refugees (43%), returnees (6%), and asylum seekers (2%). The majority of refugees originate from Nigeria and Mali. Demographically, the displaced population is predominantly youthful (58%) and female (53%). Forced displacement in Niger has persisted since 2012, largely driven by deteriorating border security and regional instability. UNHCR’s programming continues to prioritize protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), while promoting urbanization and livelihood initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience and social cohesion. Legal safeguards for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and stateless individuals are embedded in both national legislation and regional instruments (UNHCR, Niger, 2024).

 

Niger’s geographic positioning has rendered it a critical transit corridor for migration toward Libya, Algeria, and the Mediterranean. This role intensified following the 2011 crises in Mali and Libya. Between 2016 and 2019, over one million migrants were registered in Niger, with more than half originating domestically. Migration within West Africa remains predominantly intra-regional, facilitated in part by the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol prior to the 2023 coup. Key developments shaping Niger’s migration governance include Libya’s weakened border controls, the repeal of Niger’s 2015 law criminalizing irregular migration, and the 2014 gold rush in Djado. Although not a primary destination for international migrants, Niger hosted approximately 348,000 international migrants in 2020, primarily young men from Guinea, Senegal, and other West and Central African countries. Economic opportunities in mining and construction sectors influence settlement patterns, with cities such as Agadez, Arlit, and Dirkou serving as strategic stopover points for migrants en route to Europe or returning from failed attempts. These locations also function as economic hubs where migrants pause to earn income for onward travel (SIHMA, 2025).

Between 2018 and 2023, the World Bank-supported PARCA project addressed service delivery and economic inclusion for displaced populations and host communities in fragile regions. As displacement figures rose from 280,000 to over 705,000, PARCA adopted a spatially inclusive strategy, rehabilitating or constructing 328 community assets across 1,185 sites in five regions. These included educational facilities, health centres, water infrastructure, markets, and roads, collectively benefiting over one million individuals. The project also delivered vocational training and mobile cash transfers to nearly 78,000 beneficiaries, contributing to increased household income, business growth, and livestock ownership. The Geo-Enabled Monitoring and Evaluation System (GEMS) facilitated adaptive programming and transparency in resource allocation. Despite disruptions linked to the 2023 political crisis, PARCA strengthened municipal governance and integrated displacement-related needs into local planning frameworks (Group, 2024).

 

In response to cross-border displacement from Nigeria, Niger has implemented the “Opportunity Villages” programme in the Maradi region. Developed jointly by the Nigerien government and UNHCR, the initiative aims to integrate refugees into host communities through shared land use, infrastructure development, and support for micro-enterprise. Refugees such as Galadima Hadi, who fled Zamfara State in 2020, now reside in standard villages rather than camps, benefiting from market access and communal networks. However, the programme has encountered challenges, including economic stagnation linked to COVID-19 and sanctions following the 2023 coup. Vocational training initiatives have led to market saturation, limiting the viability of small businesses. While some ventures such as Amina Sa’id’s Adashe group have demonstrated potential, many refugees remain reliant on humanitarian assistance. Host communities have experienced economic gains through increased demand and infrastructure investment.

Beyond economic integration, the programme has contributed to social cohesion. Mixed working groups have addressed issues such as sexual and domestic violence, enhancing community level awareness and response mechanisms. Cultural affinity, particularly among Hausa populations across the Niger-Nigeria border, has facilitated integration through intermarriage and shared traditions. UNHCR has indicated plans to expand the initiative, including agro-business development and the establishment of additional villages, contingent on the easing of political constraints (Baba-Ibrahim, 2024).

 

Niger’s role in regional migration and asylum systems is shaped by a confluence of geopolitical, environmental, and socio-economic factors. The country’s strategic location, coupled with its legal and operational innovations such as the ETM and Opportunity Villages positions it as a critical actor in West Africa’s humanitarian landscape. While political instability poses operational risks, ongoing efforts by national and international stakeholders underscore the importance of integrated, community-based approaches to displacement and migration governance. Future research may benefit from longitudinal analysis of programme outcomes, particularly in relation to resilience, social cohesion, and policy adaptation in fragile contexts.

 

Photo by Bob Brewer on Unsplash

 

References

Baba-Ibrahim, Z. (2024, August 1). Niger tries a new refugee model as Nigerians flee bandit attacks. Retrieved from The New Humanitarian: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2024/08/01/niger-tries-new-refugee-model-nigerians-flee-bandit-attacks

Group, W. B. (2024, February 26). Improving Access to Public Services and Economic Opportunities for Refugees, Internally Displaced People, and Host Communities Across Niger through Agility and Pragmatism. Retrieved from World Bank Group: https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2024/02/16/niger-improving-access-to-public-services-and-economic-opportunities-for-refugees--displaced-people

SIHMA. (2025). Niger - Immigration. Retrieved from SIHMA: https://sihma.org.za/african-migration-statistics/country/niger

UNHCR. (2024). Niger. Retrieved from UNHCR: https://www.unhcr.org/where-we-work/countries/niger

UNHCR. (2024). Niger. Retrieved from UNHCR: https://www.unhcr.org/africa/where-we-work/countries/niger

 

 

 

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