The African Development Bank Group approved, on 21 October 2026, a financing of 144,34 million dollars for the benefit of Niger. Intended for the second phase of the PAGSEC, this support aims to improve energy sector governance, strengthen business competitiveness, and consolidate the fiscal framework.
Niger is benefiting from new support from the African Development Bank Group (BAD), negotiated by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Maman Laouali Abdou Rafa, and his team. Meeting in Abidjan, the Group's Board of Directors approved a loan of 144,34 million dollars, equivalent to 80 billion FCFA according to the equivalence announced by the institution.
This financing is intended for the second phase of the Governance and Competitiveness Support Program for the Energy Sector (PAGSEC-II). The financing includes a loan of 123,72 million dollars from the African Development Fund (FAD), the Group's concessional window, and a loan of 20,62 million dollars from the Transition Support Facility (FAT).
A new milestone for access to electricity. Energy constitutes one of the program's main pillars.
According to the BAD, the reforms initiated by Niger have notably allowed for the updating of the national energy policy, the implementation of a functional energy information system, and the development of a least-cost electricity production plan. Niger has also adopted its National Energy Compact as part of the Mission 300 initiative and created a unit responsible for monitoring its implementation.
The second phase will support the application of the new Electricity Code. It will notably accompany the adoption of texts regulating decentralized rural electrification, through mini-grids and individual systems, as well as the creation of a body responsible for promoting renewable energies.
For households and businesses, the objective is to promote wider access to electricity, which is essential for the development of economic activities. Expected measures for businesses.
The PAGSEC-II also provides for supporting the continued clearance of domestic arrears, in accordance with the plan provided for this purpose. For the businesses concerned, the settlement of claims held against the State can help alleviate cash flow constraints and facilitate the resumption of activities.
This support is in line with several measures initiated by Niger and supported by the BAD: the adoption of the Charter for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the revision of the institutional framework for the administration of the Investment Code, and the validation of the action plan for the National Public-Private Dialogue Framework. The validation of the legal status of the second industrial zone of Niamey also constitutes a step toward its operationalization and the reception of investors.
The program will also support the operationalization of the Agency for the Promotion of Popular Shareholding for Community Entrepreneurship (APAPEC-NIGER). This agency's mission will be to develop entrepreneurship within communities and support industrialization in strategic economic sectors, paying particular attention to youth entrepreneurship.
Public governance and protection of populations. The strengthening of competitiveness is accompanied by a component dedicated to public management.
The BAD notes that the Court of Auditors and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARCOP) are now fully functional, following the institutional disruptions resulting from the events of July 2023. Dialogue with the authorities will continue regarding the security of public fund management and social priorities, particularly access to water and sanitation.
For Mamadou Tangara, head of the BAD country office in Niger, this second phase must support the country's competitiveness and its resilience to shocks. Beyond the approved amount, the impact of the PAGSEC-II will depend on the implementation of the reforms and their concrete effects on energy access, business activity, and the quality of public management.
Published on 23/10/26 08:02. Press release