2011 Edition

Background

Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a counter coup by military officers who restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and in 2009 spearheaded a constitutional amendment that would allow him to extend his term as president. In February 2010, a military coup deposed TANDJA, immediately suspended the constitution and dissolved the Cabinet, and promised that elections would be held following a transitional period of unspecified duration. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. A predominately Tuareg ethnic group emerged in February 2007, the Nigerien Movement for Justice, and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Successful government offensives in 2009 limited the rebels' operational capabilities.

Area

1.267 million sq km 1,266,700 sq km 300 sq km

total

1.267 million sq km

water

300 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate

desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Niger River 200 m Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m

highest point

Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m

lowest point

Niger River 200 m

Environment - current issues

overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

2.18 cu km/yr (4%/0%/95%) 156 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

156 cu m/yr (2000)

total

2.18 cu km/yr (4%/0%/95%)

Geographic coordinates

16 00 N, 8 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture

Irrigated land

740 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

5,697 km Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

border countries

Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

total

5,697 km

Land use

11.43% 0.01% 88.56% (2005)

arable land

11.43%

other

88.56% (2005)

permanent crops

0.01%

Location

Western Africa, southeast of Algeria

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

recurring droughts

Natural resources

uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum

Terrain

predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north

Total renewable water resources

33.7 cu km (2003)

Age structure

49.6% (male 4,129,164/female 4,045,412) 48% (male 3,944,586/female 3,964,249) 2.3% (male 170,741/female 214,734) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

49.6% (male 4,129,164/female 4,045,412)

15-64 years

48% (male 3,944,586/female 3,964,249)

65 years and over

2.3% (male 170,741/female 214,734) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

50.54 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

39.9% (2006)

Death rate

14.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 96% of population rural: 39% of population total: 48% of population urban: 4% of population rural: 61% of population total: 52% of population (2008)

rural

61% of population

total

52% of population (2008)

urban

4% of population

Education expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Tuareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census)

Health expenditures

6.1% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.8% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

4,300 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

61,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.31 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

112.22 deaths/1,000 live births 117.19 deaths/1,000 live births 107.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

107.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

112.22 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Life expectancy at birth

53.4 years 52.13 years 54.7 years (2011 est.)

female

54.7 years (2011 est.)

total population

53.4 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 28.7% 42.9% 15.1% (2005 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

15.1% (2005 est.)

male

42.9%

total population

28.7%

Major cities - population

NIAMEY (capital) 1.004 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis rabies meningococcal meningitis highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne disease

malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Maternal mortality rate

820 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

15.2 years 15 years 15.4 years (2011 est.)

female

15.4 years (2011 est.)

male

15 years

total

15.2 years

Nationality

Nigerien(s) Nigerien

adjective

Nigerien

noun

Nigerien(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.019 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

16,468,886 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

3.643% (2011 est.)

Religions

Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 34% of population rural: 4% of population total: 9% of population urban: 66% of population rural: 96% of population total: 91% of population (2008)

rural

96% of population

total

91% of population (2008)

urban

66% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

5 years 6 years 5 years (2010)

female

5 years (2010)

male

6 years

total

5 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

7.6 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

3.2% 4% 1.7% (2001)

female

1.7% (2001)

total

3.2%

Urbanization

17% of total population (2010) 4.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

17% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (communite urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder

Capital

Niamey 13 31 N, 2 07 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

13 31 N, 2 07 E

name

Niamey

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 31 October 2010

Country name

Republic of Niger Niger Republique du Niger Niger

conventional long form

Republic of Niger

conventional short form

Niger

local long form

Republique du Niger

local short form

Niger

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Bisa WILLIAMS Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey B. P. 11201, Niamey [227] 20-72-26-61 thru 64 [227] 20-73-31-67

chief of mission

Ambassador Bisa WILLIAMS

embassy

Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey

FAX

[227] 20-73-31-67

mailing address

B. P. 11201, Niamey

telephone

[227] 20-72-26-61 thru 64

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Aminata Djibrilla Maiga TOURE 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 [1] (202)483-3169

chancery

2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Aminata Djibrilla Maiga TOURE

FAX

[1] (202)483-3169

telephone

[1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227

Executive branch

President ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (since 7 April 2011) Prime Minister Brigi RAFINI (since 7 April 2011); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president 26-member Cabinet appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes to be elected president; a presidential election to restore civilian rule was held 31 January 2011 with a runoff election between Issoufou MAHAMADOU and Seini OUMAROU held on 12 March 2011 Issoufou MAHAMADOU elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Issoufou MAHAMADOU 58%, Seini OUMAROU 42%

cabinet

26-member Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (since 7 April 2011)

election results

Issoufou MAHAMADOU elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Issoufou MAHAMADOU 58%, Seini OUMAROU 42%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes to be elected president; a presidential election to restore civilian rule was held 31 January 2011 with a runoff election between Issoufou MAHAMADOU and Seini OUMAROU held on 12 March 2011

head of government

Prime Minister Brigi RAFINI (since 7 April 2011); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk centered in the white band; the orange band denotes the drier northern regions of the Sahara; white stands for purity and innocence; green symbolizes hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River; the orange disc represents the sun and the sacrifices made by the people similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band

Government type

republic

Independence

3 August 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law (based on French civil law), Islamic law, and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 31 January 2011 percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 39, MNSD-Nassara 26, MODEN/FA-Lumana 24, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 8, RDP-Jama'a 7, UDR-Tabbat 6, CDS-Rahama 2, UNI 1

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 39, MNSD-Nassara 26, MODEN/FA-Lumana 24, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 8, RDP-Jama'a 7, UDR-Tabbat 6, CDS-Rahama 2, UNI 1

elections

last held on 31 January 2011

National anthem

"La Nigerienne" (The Nigerian) Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET adopted 1961

lyrics/music

Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET

name

"La Nigerienne" (The Nigerian)

National holiday

Republic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960

Political parties and leaders

Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara; Niger Social Democratic Party or PSDN; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU]; Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]; Social and Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya [Cheiffou AMADOU]; Union for Democracy and the Republic-Tabbat or UDR-Tabbat; Union of Independent Nigeriens or UNI

Political pressure groups and leaders

The Nigerien Movement for Justice or MNJ, a predominantly Tuareg rebel group

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry

Budget

$800.4 million (includes $134 million from foreign sources) $1.297 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$1.297 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$800.4 million (includes $134 million from foreign sources)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-8.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009) 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.3% (31 December 2010 est.) 4.3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.388 billion (2010 est.) -$1.402 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$990.9 million (31 December 2009 est.) $2.1 billion (2003 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34 (2007) 50.5 (1995)

Economy - overview

Niger is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Niger also has sizable reserves of oil, and oil production, refining, and exports are expected to grow significantly between 2011 and 2016. Drought, desertification, and strong population growth have undercut the economy. Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. In December 2005, Niger received 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translates into the forgiveness of approximately US $86 million in debts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. In 2010, the Niger economy was recovering from the effects of a 2009 drought that reduced grain and cowpea production and decimated livestock herds. The economy was also hurt when the international community cut off non-humanitarian aid in response to TANDJA's moves to extend his term as president. Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources.

Electricity - consumption

626 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

440 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

200 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 493.51 (2007) 522.59 (2006)

Exports

$1.04 billion (2010 est.)

Exports - commodities

uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions

Exports - partners

Nigeria 68.3%, US 12.2%, Ghana 9.8% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

37% 15.5% 47.4% (2010 est.)

agriculture

37%

industry

15.5%

services

47.4% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$700 (2010 est.) $700 (2009 est.) $700 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.5% (2010 est.) -0.9% (2009 est.) 9.3% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.577 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$11.05 billion (2010 est.) $10.28 billion (2009 est.) $10.37 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.7% 28.5% (2007)

highest 10%

28.5% (2007)

lowest 10%

3.7%

Imports

$1.821 billion (2010 est.) $1.794 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Imports - partners

China 17.8%, France 16.5%, French Polynesia 7.2%, Nigeria 6.7%, Algeria 5.3%, Cote dIvoire 4.9% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

5.1% (2003 est.)

Industries

uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.8% (2010 est.) 4.3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

34% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.688 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

90% 6% 4% (1995)

agriculture

90%

industry

6%

services

4% (1995)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

5,443 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

63% (1993 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$760.3 million (31 December 2010 est.) $655.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.171 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.038 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$715.4 million (31 December 2010 est.) $683.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$917.7 million (31 December 2010 est.) $782.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Broadcast media

state-run TV station; 3 private TV stations provide a mix of local and foreign programming; only national radio station with national reach is state-run; about 30 private radio stations operate locally; as many as 100 community radio stations broadcast; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.ne

Internet hosts

172 (2010)

Internet users

115,900 (2009)

Telephone system

inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains less than 20 per 100 persons despite a rapidly increasing cellular subscribership base; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2009)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains less than 20 per 100 persons despite a rapidly increasing cellular subscribership base; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned

general assessment

inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger

international

country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

83,600 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.806 million (2010)

Airports

27 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2010)

total

10

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

14

total

17

under 914 m

1 (2010)

Roadways

18,949 km 3,912 km 15,037 km (2008)

total

18,949 km

unpaved

15,037 km (2008)

Waterways

300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

3,329,184 3,267,669 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,267,669 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,329,184

Manpower fit for military service

2,194,570 2,219,416 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,219,416 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,194,570

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

186,348 180,779 (2010 est.)

female

180,779 (2010 est.)

male

186,348

Military branches

Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2010)

Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN)

Army, Nigerien Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2010)

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

17-21 years of age for selective compulsory or voluntary military service; enlistees must be Nigerien citizens and unmarried; 2-year service term; women may serve in health care (2009)

Disputes - international

Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tommo region; location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty that also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries; the dispute with Burkina Faso was referred to the ICJ in 2010

Trafficking in persons

Niger is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; caste-based slavery practices, rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships, continue in isolated areas of the country - an estimated 8,800 to 43,000 Nigeriens live under conditions of traditional slavery; children are trafficked within Niger for forced begging, forced labor in gold mines, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and possibly for forced labor in agriculture and stone quarries; women and children from neighboring states are trafficked to and through Niger for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, forced labor in mines and on farms, and as mechanics and welders; to a lesser extent, Nigerien women and children are recruited from Niger and transported to Nigeria, North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe for domestic servitude and sex trafficking Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Niger does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government demonstrated marginal efforts to combat human trafficking, including traditional slavery; the transitional government enacted the country's first specific law to address trafficking; however, the government's few efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses during the year came only after receiving complaints from NGOs, and efforts to prosecute cases of traditional slavery and to provide assistance to victims remained weak (2011)

current situation

Niger is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; caste-based slavery practices, rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships, continue in isolated areas of the country - an estimated 8,800 to 43,000 Nigeriens live under conditions of traditional slavery; children are trafficked within Niger for forced begging, forced labor in gold mines, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and possibly for forced labor in agriculture and stone quarries; women and children from neighboring states are trafficked to and through Niger for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, forced labor in mines and on farms, and as mechanics and welders; to a lesser extent, Nigerien women and children are recruited from Niger and transported to Nigeria, North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe for domestic servitude and sex trafficking

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Niger does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government demonstrated marginal efforts to combat human trafficking, including traditional slavery; the transitional government enacted the country's first specific law to address trafficking; however, the government's few efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses during the year came only after receiving complaints from NGOs, and efforts to prosecute cases of traditional slavery and to provide assistance to victims remained weak (2011)