Niger's population is 17,831,270 and most of the people are living in cities near Nigeria border. Still there are nomadic crews who are going from some place to another for living. After single party regime, country adapted multi-party system and ruled by it since 1993. Moreover, Niger's GDP is mostly maintain on Agriculture (%40), Mining (%11,5) and Retail Trade (%14). This three sector is source of living for 89% of Niger population.
Strategically, this poor country has very important natural resources such as oil and uranium. And usually foreign countries are responsible for that natural resources. Because foreign investment is very important for country's economy, Niger welcomes foreign investments such as Chinese Petroleum Corporation (State-owned). They have signed agreement for building first oil-refinery and pipes with Niger's government for 5 billion $. From 2009 to 2014 this oil-refinery is actively using.
What is interesting about Niger is that their GDP Growth rate is terribly unstable as seen in the graph abov, Niger's GDP growth rate is some years minus some years 11% so it is not stable. This is mostly because Niger's GDP is really depend on agricultural products and some years, country's climate does not give any chance to produce agricultural products like previous year.
Chinese and French investment is also very important for Niger's economy. (Nuclear Power Plants) With that investments, Niger's government aims to decreased energy deficit of the country. This movement can really help Niger's economy also. Unfortunately, despite all investments and expectations, Niger is still in dangerous position about lack of food. According to UN reports, 300.000 children are dying every year because of lack of food. But still, with IMF's and other economic organization's credit plans, Niger's economy is expecting to grow more stable than before.
In above, I mentioned that for Niger, foreign investment is very important. But there is one serious problem that Chinese companies does not want to go Niger anymore because of EBOLA. Ebola can damage all expectations about grow, development and investment. This is not a official report that some investors can escape from Niger but still Ebola can crush Niger's economy.
What is more, Niger has second lowest HDI index in the world but the country is growing by the help of UN. In 1980, average life expectancy was just 38 years but today it is 55 years. But of course, Niger has a lot to do.
In conclusion. despite the fact that Niger has uranium, oil etc. Niger's 1st domestic production is agriculture and fishing which makes GDP unstable when it is combined with unstable dry and tropical weather. But, country has stable and growing direct foreign investment which is affecting country's economy positively. I strongly believe that Niger's first policy should be self-sufficient which will cut the lack of food and lack of energy problem.
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