Niger Compact

MCC’s $442.6 million compact is addressing two major constraints to economic growth and investment in Niger: lack of access to water for productive uses and physical access and institutional barriers to trade. In partnership with the Government of Niger, the MCC compact is increasing rural incomes by improving the sustainable productive use of natural resources for agricultural production and improving trade and market access for agricultural products. The compact has the potential to benefit approximately 3.9 million people.

In Niger, the agricultural sector employs more than 80 percent of the population and represents the second-largest export sector. However, due to frequent drought and floods that decimate crops and productive assets, much of the Nigerien population struggles to maintain a subsistence existence, let alone increase household incomes. Although poverty trends are slowly improving, with a climate prone to volatile weather conditions and a lack of access to critical inputs and information, agricultural productivity has stagnated. The compact includes investments in irrigation infrastructure and management systems, climate-resilient agricultural production, upgraded roads to improve market access, and management of natural resources, while seeking to empower entrepreneurs and smallholder producers. In addition to these investments, MCC has supported the Government in rolling out an important reform to the market for fertilizers which has led to higher levels of fertilizer available for Nigerien farmers in 2021 than in any year prior, despite the impacts of Covid-19.

The Government of Niger is committed to carrying out the reforms necessary to improve water and agricultural systems policy and increase private sector participation.

As of September 13, 2023