Niger : Financial Sector Assessment

Abstract

Since 1999, the Nigerien authorities have embarked on a program of reform to develop the financial system and ensure its stability in the wake of a regional banking crisis. Despite this progress, much remains to be done to bring the financial sector up to sub-regional standards. The first step is to formulate a financial sector development strategy that will serve as a roadmap for future reforms. Issues of access to financial services are crucial in Niger, in view of indicators that place Niger at the lowest level in the Union (except for Guinea-Bissau). The stability of the financial sector has improved, but still requires vigilance on the part of national and monetary authorities. The country's economic activity is based on agriculture and services, but uranium is Niger's main export. The primary and tertiary sectors account for 42 and 38 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) respectively. Agriculture sustains roughly 80 percent of the population. Industrial activities are extremely limited apart from uranium mining in the north, which accounts for 60 percent of the country's exports on average. The medium-term macroeconomic outlook in Niger appears favorable due to the greater margin for budget maneuvering attributable to debt reduction initiatives and the increased investments in the mining, infrastructure, and agriculture sectors. Niger has a small banking sector with a moderate degree of concentration. The banking sector is not highly concentrated and the customer base is relatively diversified. Four of the 10 banks account for 80 percent of total assets but in relatively equal proportions, which could help competition. The remaining banks are small with limited activity. The two specialized financial institutions that are either state-controlled or controlled by local governments are in the process of privatization or liquidation.