Niger–United States relations are

bilateral relations Bilateralism is the conduct of political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which is activity by a single state or jointly by multiple states, respectively. When ...

between

Niger Niger, officially the Republic of the Niger, is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is a unitary state Geography of Niger#Political geography, bordered by Libya to the Libya–Niger border, north-east, Chad to the Chad–Niger border, east ...

and the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

. The two countries cooperate on a range of issues, including counter-terrorism, trade and investment, and health and education. On August 4, 2023,

Abdourahamane Tchiani Abdourahamane Tchiani (; born early 1960s) is a Nigerien military officer who has served as the 11th president of Niger since 2025 and the president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the military junta of Niger, since 2 ...

's military junta severed diplomatic ties with the US after a successful coup d'état deposing Nigerien president

Mohamed Bazoum Mohamed Bazoum (; born 1 January 1960) is a Nigerien politician who served as the 10th List of heads of state of Niger, president of Niger from 2021 to 2023. He assumed office in April 2021 after winning the 2020–21 Nigerien general election, ...

. In 2024, the Niger ended its security cooperation with the United States, stating that the security pact violated the Niger's constitution. The United States is one of Niger's top development partners, providing assistance through various programs to support economic growth, food security, and health care. The United States is Niger's largest trading partner, and there are many American companies operating in Niger, particularly in the mining and energy sectors. According to the 2018 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 53% of Nigeriens approve of U.S. leadership, with 21% disapproving and 26% uncertain.

History

U.S. relations with Niger have generally been close and friendly since Niger attained independence. Although

USAID The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an agency of the United States government that has been responsible for administering civilian United States foreign aid, foreign aid and development assistance. Established in 19 ...

does not have a Mission in Niger, $30 million in annual official aid is administered through American and local non-governmental organizations with programs addressing food security,

health Health has a variety of definitions, which have been used for different purposes over time. In general, it refers to physical and emotional well-being, especially that associated with normal functioning of the human body, absent of disease, p ...

, local

governance Governance is the overall complex system or framework of Process, processes, functions, structures, Social norm, rules, Law, laws and Norms (sociology), norms born out of the Interpersonal relationship, relationships, Social interaction, intera ...

, youth training, girls' education,

corruption Corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense that is undertaken by a person or an organization that is entrusted in a position of authority to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's gain. Corruption may involve activities ...

control, and improving the business environment. The U.S.

Peace Corps The Peace Corps is an Independent agency of the U.S. government, independent agency and program of the United States government that trains and deploys volunteers to communities in partner countries around the world. It was established in Marc ...

program in Niger started in 1962. It currently has about 130 volunteers in Niger and celebrated its 50th anniversary in Niger in September 2012. In January 2013, the U.S. and Niger signed an agreement allowing the U.S. to operate unarmed drones from Nigerien territory. In February 2013, the U.S. deployed 100 troops to assist in intelligence collection and will also facilitate intelligence sharing to support French operations in neighboring

Mali Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is the List of African countries by area, eighth-largest country in Africa, with an area of over . The country is bordered to the north by Algeria, to the east b ...

. In March 2024, Niger denounces “with immediate effect” the military cooperation agreement with the United States of America. According to the government of Niger, the agreement violated Niger's constitution.

Military relations

The United States operates several military bases in Niger, including in

Arlit Arlit is an industrial town and capital of the Arlit Department of the Agadez Region of northern-central Niger, built between the Sahara Desert and the eastern edge of the Aïr Mountains. It is 200 kilometers south by road from the bord ...

and

Agadez Agadez ( Air Tamajeq: ⴰⴶⴰⴷⴰⵣ, ''Agadaz''), formerly spelled Agadès, is the fifth largest city in Niger, with a population of 110,497 based on the 2012 census. The capital of the eponymous Agadez Region, the city lies in the Sahara ...

. The

Central Intelligence Agency The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA; ) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States tasked with advancing national security through collecting and analyzing intelligence from around the world and ...

operates a drone base near Dirkou. Niger is an important partner for the United States in the fight against terrorism in West Africa and is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The United States has provided training and equipment to Niger's military and security forces to help them counter terrorism and transnational crime. In March 2024, Niger announced the termination of its military cooperation deal with the United States, requiring 1,000 American armed forces personnel to leave the country. Niger's military spokesperson, Col. Amadou Abdramane, stated on national television that the American military presence in Niger is illegal and "“violates all the constitutional and democratic rules, which would require the sovereign people — notably through its elected officials — to be consulted on the installation of a foreign army on its territory." The announcement came shortly after meetings with an American delegation from Washington and the top U.S. commander for Africa, Gen. Michael E. Langley. The move reflected a trend in the Sahel region of countries breaking ties with Western nations and increasingly partnering with Russia instead. In a report issued by United States Member of Congress

Matt Gaetz Matthew Louis Gaetz II ( ; born May 7, 1982) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the U.S. representative for from 2017 until his resignation in 2024. His district included all of Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties, ...

, Gaetz stated that the United States State embassy in Niger was suppressing information related to the decay of Niger-United States diplomatic relations. According to Gaetz's report, Niger has not authorized flights for United States Department of Defense efforts, including the sending of food, equipment, mail, or medical supplies.

The U.S. Department of Defense and Niger's Ministry of Defense announced on 5 August 2024 that the U.S. handed over its last military base in Niger, Airbase 201 in Agadez, to local authorities after U.S. troops withdrew from Airbase 101 in Niamey earlier in the month. U.S. troops were set to leave Niger by 15 September 2024 following an agreement with Nigerien authorities, with about two dozen soldiers remaining for administrative duties at the U.S. embassy.

Economic relations

Niger holds the 160th position among United States trading partners. The total value traded between the United States and Niger in 2019 amounted to $139 million. Exports from the United States to Niger accounted for $93 million; imports of goods from Niger to the United States were valued at $47 million.

Resident diplomatic missions

* Niger has an embassy in

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

* United States has an embassy in

Niamey Niamey () is the capital and largest city of Niger. As the Niamey Urban Community (, CUN), it is a Regions of Niger, first-level division of Niger, surrounded by the Tillabéri Region, in the western part of the country. Niamey lies on the Nige ...

. File:Embassy of Niger, Washington, D.C..jpg, Embassy of Niger in Washington, D.C. File:US Embassy in Niamey, Niger.png, Embassy of the United States in Niamey

References

External links