Investors can boost Niger’s agro-processing potential by strategic investments in agriculture, energy and mining to drive long-term prosperity
Interview with Dr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey — Ambassador of Pakistan Embassy Niamey, Niger
Profile:
Dr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey assumed charge as the Ambassador of Pakistan Embassy Niamey, Niger on 17th February, 2020. Prior to Parep Niamey, Ambassador Sirohey was serving as Counsellor/Deputy High Commissioner Brunei from 2015 to February, 2020. He also served in Nigeria, Yemen, Jeddah and Baghdad. Ambassador Sirohey has extensive experience of working on both bilateral and multilateral issues.
His commitment to economic diplomacy goes beyond routine diplomatic functions; he actively engages in initiatives promoting investment, trade, and sustainable economic growth. He has written four books on Economic Diplomacy; i) A Handbook on Economic Diplomacy, ii) The Currency of Influence: Economic Diplomacy and Public Perception through Public Diplomacy, iii) Engaging Hearts and Minds: Public Diplomacy in Modern Era, and iv) Advanced Perspectives on Global Public Diplomacy.
At the Headquarters, Ambassador Sirohey has worked as Desk Officer for Budget and Finance & Accounts (2002-2003), Assistant Chief Protocol (2003-2004) and Desk Officer for OIC countries (2007–2008). He also served as the Director Afghanistan, Mission Services, Archives and Research in 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Born on 1st March, 1971, Ambassador Sirohey joined the Foreign Services of Pakistan on 1st January, 2001. He holds a doctorate degree of PhD in Economic Diplomacy as well as LLM in International LAW. He is bigamist, with seven children.
PAGE: Could you tell us about the Pakistani diaspora residing in Niger?
Dr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey: Niger is home to around 70 Pakistani expatriates, comprising medical professionals, engineers, and missionaries from the Ahmadiyya Community.
PAGE: Are the Pakistanis confined to Niamey or they prefer living in other cities of Niger as well?
Dr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey: The Pakistani community in Niger is predominantly based in Niamey, the capital city, where they are employed in various professions such as medicine, engineering, and trade. However, the Ahmadiyya missionaries are strategically stationed in remote and rural areas beyond Niamey, allowing them to reach and serve diverse communities across Niger.
PAGE: How is the economy of Niger and what are the prospects for the Pakistani diaspora?
Dr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey: Niger grapples with challenges such as poverty, a subsistence economy dependent on agriculture and livestock, and environmental issues like recurring droughts. The country relies heavily on exporting raw materials, particularly uranium.
Main Products Exported In 2022 | |
Uranium or Thorium Ores and Concentrates | 31.9% |
Petroleum Oils | 28.8% |
Gold, Inc. Gold plated with Platinum | 16.7% |
Onions, Shallots, Sesame Seed, Garlic, Leeks | 3.0% |
Niger’s annual trade volume and value (2022):
In 2022, Niger’s total import value amounted to approximately USD 3.77 billion. This figure represents a significant increase compared to 2021, where the import value was about USD 2.12 billion. Niger’s Trade balance is structurally in deficit. In 2022, merchandise exports stood at USD 1.2 billion against 3.8 billion in Import. As by the WTO and World Bank, in 2023, formal trade volumes declined, with exports dropping by 8,1% and imports by 12% due to International sanctions. However, exports are expected to pick up significantly in the short term due to the completion of a 2,000km pipeline by the China National Petroleum Corporation.
The top 5 premium products imported by Niger:
- Cereals (especially semi-milled and wholly milled rice): Accounting for 14.4% of total imports, valued at around USD 548 million.
- Aircraft Parts: Comprising 11.4% of imports, valued at approximately USD 433 million.
- Machinery and Mechanical Appliances: Making up 9.3% of imports, valued at around USD 350 million.
- Arms and Ammunition: Representing 9% of imports, valued at approximately USD 341 million.
- Iron and Steel Articles: Contributing 7.6% to the import structure, valued at about USD 288 million.
Prospects for the Pakistani diaspora
1- Agriculture and agro-processing:
Current status: Agriculture engages about 80% of Niger’s population but remains underdeveloped with low productivity due to limited access to modern techniques, irrigation, and inputs.
Investment opportunities: Expanding irrigation could significantly increase agricultural output. Foreign investors can partner with the government to develop irrigation infrastructure, leveraging Niger’s rivers.
Agro-processing: Investments in processing facilities for crops like millet which is the major crop in Niger after onion and beans. The cowpeas crops including others can add local value, create jobs, and reduce post-harvest losses and allow massive exportation.
Technology and training: Introducing modern farming techniques, including climate-smart agriculture, advanced and hybrid seeds, could improve productivity and resilience against climate change.
2- Oil and petroleum sector development:
Current status: Niger has untapped oil reserves, and the sector has seen minimal exploitation due to infrastructure and investment challenges including failed cooperation with International oil and gas companies.
Investment opportunities: Oil Exploration and Extraction: Foreign companies can invest in exploration and extraction technologies to tap into Niger’s oil reserves, which are currently underutilized.
Refining capacity: Developing local refining capacity could reduce dependency on imported refined oil products and add significant value to the domestic economy. For instance, Niger petrol domestic price is high compared to other sub regional countries.
Revenue management: Collaborating with international experts on transparent and effective revenue management could ensure that oil revenues are reinvested in infrastructure and social development, much like the successful models seen in the UAE and Qatar.
3- Renewable energy: Niger has abundant solar energy potential but suffers from low electrification rates, especially in rural areas.
- Solar energy projects: Foreign companies can invest in large-scale solar farms or off-grid solar solutions for rural communities, in Agadez, Tillaberi, Zinder and Dosso.
- Public-private partnerships: Collaborating with Nigerien authorities to develop and manage renewable energy projects could ensure long-term sustainability.
- Energy storage solutions & dams: Developing energy storage systems to stabilize the grid and ensure reliable electricity supply. The Kandadji Dam launched recently is expected to be effective but still faces some shortcomings.
4- Mining sector: The country is rich in uranium, gold, coal, manganese, lithium, antimony, silver and other minerals. However, the sector remains underutilised due to insufficient infrastructure and investment.
- Mineral exploration and extraction: Foreign companies can invest in mineral exploration, bringing in expertise and technology to optimize extraction.
- Infrastructure development: Building transport and logistics infrastructure to facilitate the movement of minerals to markets and exportation.
- Value addition: Establishing processing plants within Niger to refine minerals locally before export will increase revenue and create more jobs.
PAGE: What is your perspective about the trade relations between Pakistan and Niger?
Dr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey: The trade volume between Pakistan and Niger remains relatively modest. In 2023, Pakistan exported goods worth approximately USD 43,460 to Niger, primarily consisting of textiles and rice. The trade relationship is still developing, with significant potential for growth, especially in sectors like textiles, machinery, and agricultural products.
The trade data is sourced from various platforms, including the United Nations COMTRADE database, Trading Economics, and the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) https://oec.world/en/profile/country/pak