Niger

The strategy for implementing the 10th European Development Fund (EDF, 2008-2013) in Niger is based on two key objectives:

1. Supporting the National Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy and its various sectoral aspects;
2. Supporting the application of the principles of ownership, alignment and harmonisation, of results-based management and of mutual accountability as set out in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, endorsed by the Government of Niger and the European Commission.

To help meet these objectives, the basic budget under the 10th European Development Fund is €458 million.

Given that two-thirds of Niger's population live below the poverty threshold, that 80% of the population live in rural areas, that the country's demographic growth exceeds gross economic growth, that there is a vital need for regional integration to boost economic growth and that the principles of the Paris Declaration provide the necessary foundation for sustainable growth, the cooperation strategy of the 10th EDF covers the following objectives:

1. Boosting growth in rural areas and improving regional integration. Operations will be based mainly on three components:
   
   • Support for the implementation of the Rural Development Strategy.
   • Support for the development of infrastructure to foster regional integration; choices will be guided both by the need to improve communications in Niger and by the need to improve the access of rural areas with strong agricultural potential to the regional network.
   • Institutional support to build the capacity of public, private, local, regional and national institutions and to help structure rural organisations so as to improve environmental management and encourage regional integration.
2. Supporting good governance and economic and institutional reforms. The specific objective is to help set up an institutional framework within which the National Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy can be effectively implemented.
   
   • Meeting the objectives of the National Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy depends in large measure on the efficiency and effectiveness of public spending. It is through the sound management of public funds that the National Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy can be translated into concrete action.
   • However, given that it is impossible to plan a national strategy and make it operational without a minimum level of follow-up and evaluation, the support of the PTFs - including that of the Commission - for the national statistical system will be continued, both within the National Statistical Institute and the priority ministries.
   • The key elements of ownership of the National Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy are decentralisation and the reform and modernisation of the administration already set in train by the Government. The main areas in which the EC is to take action have to do with institution-building and development and the improvement of human resource management. These measures will be backed up by technical and financial support to the municipalities and the strengthening of the capacities of bodies involved in decentralisation.
   • Access to justice for all, promoting the rule of law and shoring up democratic gains, is the key to this institutional and economic reform. Poor territorial cover in terms of staffing and operational resources, along with the need to stamp out corruption in the system, still hinder the country's economic and local development and effective protection for human rights.
   • Finally, there are plans to help organise electoral processes, improve the quality of information (professionalisation of the media, support for cultural activities) and strengthen the capacities of non-state actors in order to enhance the quality of democracy and the citizen's role in the country's socioeconomic development.
3. General budgetary support. In addition to the operations in the two sectors where aid is concentrated, the 10th EDF will support the implementation of the National Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy through substantial non-targeted, multiannual general budget support. The specific objectives of this support will have to do with strengthening macroeconomic stability, promoting sound management of public funds and implementing the National Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy.
4. Operations outside sectors where aid is concentrated

Following up previous operations, the specific objectives of operations outside sectors where aid is concentrated will be to help Niger to benefit fully from the future Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and West Africa and to facilitate the implementation of cooperation with the support of the services of the National Authorising Officer and the Technical Cooperation Facility, which were already funded under the 9th EDF.