Niger Travel Guide

Niger — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Central Africa.
Language: The official languages are French and Arabic. Also spoken are Hausa (by half of the population), Djerma, Fulani, Manga, Zarma and Tuareg dialects.
Area: 1,267,000 sq km (489,191 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 1.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; Round two-pin plugs are used.
Population: 12.9 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density: 10.2 per sq km.
Capital City: Niamey. Population: 890,000 (UN estimate 2003).
Government: Republic since 1960.
Head of Government: Mahamadou Danda was appointed Prime Minister by the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy in February 2010.
Head of State: Army officer Maj Salou Djibo is head of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy that overthrew President Mamadou Tandja in a coup in February 2010.
Religion: Approximately 95% Muslim, with Christian and animist minorities.

Recent History

Alleged attempts by Iraq to procure uranium from Niger were the subject of controversy in 2003. Mamadou Tandja won a second (and final) term in the December 2004 presidential elections. While he has been praised for bringing stability to Niger, the country remains one of the poorest and least developed in the world. Its susceptibility to drought and famine was again exposed in 2005 and 2006, leaving the country in a weakened state.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +227.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet

Internet access can be found in major urban areas.

Media

The state controls the main TV and radio stations, but private radio stations are on the increase. Low literacy levels mean radio is the most important news outlet.

Post

Airmail to Western Europe takes up to two weeks.Generally 0730-1230 and 1530-1800.

Press

•Le Sahel is state run.
• Le Républicain is a weekly publication.

Radio

•La Voix du Sahel is a state-run, national station.
• Private stations include Anfani FM, Horizon FM and Tenere FM.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
15 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed)
24 Apr National Concord Day
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
3 Aug Independence Day
31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
6 Nov - 7 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice)
18 Dec Republic Day
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
4 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed)
9 Apr Easter Monday
23 Apr National Concord Day
1 May Labor Day
3 Aug Independence Day
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice)
18 Dec Republic Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Tabaski may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) Niger's small Christian community also observes Easter, Whitsun, Ascension, Assumption, All Saints' Day and Christmas.