Niger
CECI has had operations in Niger since 1982, when it instituted its first program (in health awareness) in the poorer neighborhoods of Niamey. In 1986, CECI expanded its activities in Niger to two other regions (drilling of wells). Since then we have broadly diversified our activities and zones of operation:
- work on hygiene issues;
- promotion of women’s and community issues;
- creation of vegetable gardens;
- support for decentralization processes;
- strengthening of food security;
- non-formal education;
- shea butter production.
From 2006 to 2009, CECI spearheaded a project to strengthen community food security in the Tahoua region. Now, with the “Women and Food Security” project, we are responding to the food crisis.
Since 2004, CECI has participated in the Uniterra volunteer cooperation program, which has given 11 local partners the support of 62 Canadian and Nigeran volunteers on short- and long-term mandates.
Over 22 years, CECI-Niger has carried some twenty projects to completion in the seven regions of Niger.
Currently, the CECI offices in Niamey and Tahoua are staffed by 23 local employees and a regular cohort of volunteers.
Context
The Nigeran economy is characterized by the predominance of the rural sector, where 84% of the assets are located and which accounts for 41% of the GDP. Agriculture is the largest sector of the economy and the key driver of economic growth. In 2002, 25% of the total national budget of Cdn $250 million was spent on the rural sector; as for the social sector, it received the equivalent of $90,000.
Challenges
Agriculture and livestock once formed the basis for the prosperity and social cohesion of the region. Cumulative deficits (rainfall, food and pasture crops) in recent decades have cut into this relative security, nullifying much of the effort invested by this constantly growing population (about 12 million according to the 2001 census).
More than ever, rural life here is characterized by poverty, precarious living conditions, and uncertainty, particularly for the pastoral and agro-pastoral communities directly exposed to the consequences of these deficits:
- 70% of the rural population lives under the poverty line;
- more than 36% of the rural population are living in extreme poverty;
- Niger is ranked last on the list of poor countries published by the United Nations for 2005.
The incidence of poverty is higher among nomadic rural people (87%) than among sedentary people (74%). Concerning the urban areas, the incidence of poverty is 50% in the smaller cities and 46% in Niamey.
Priorities
CECI-Niger adheres to the overall mission of the organization by concentrating our priorities in two vital sectors of Niger:
- agriculture/rural development;
- non-formal education.
Agriculture and rural development
For more than 15 years, CECI-Niger has been assisting rural communities and civil society organizations in:
- identifying their problems and defining their needs;
- drafting their local development or capacity building plans;
- mobilizing the necessary resources.
Here are some examples;
- Shea butter industry project: Since 2004, CECI has been assisting with decentralization and good governance in this sector by helping set up shea butter producers unions. This effort goes hand in hand with technical support, including transfers of technology.
- Fair trade: Since 2005, 3,000 craftspeople and 2,800 producers (mainly women) have obtained the support of CECI-Niger in marketing their products through fair trade channels and making a living from their work. Their jewelry items are now being sold in 10,000 Villages stores and craft fairs in the province of Québec, while their shea butter is found on the shelves of stores in Canada, Europe, and Niamey.
Non-formal education
CECI contributes to literacy training for more than 110,000 youth and adults (67% girls and women) through two large projects implemented since 2001.
Below are the projects led by CECI in this country.
