Niger
June 18th

“He will refresh Niger and guide them along the right paths for his name’s sake!”

he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3, NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Africa
Population | 24.48 million
Area | 1,266,700㎢ Located on the central-western inland of Africa.
Capital City | Niamey (1.43 million)
People Groups | Total 38 groups, Hausa 53.8%, Zarma 18.2%, Fulani 8.2%, Tuareg 7.4%, Kanuri 4.1%, Songhai-Koryaboro 3.7%
People Groups Unreached | 30 groups (98.2% of the population)
Official Language(s) | French (official), Hausa
Total Languages | 32
Bible Translations | Completed 9, New Testament 9, Partial 6
Religion | Christianity 1.6% (Protestant 0.3%, Independent church 0.6%), Islam 93.3%, Ethnic religion 5.1%, Evangelical 1% (240,000 people)
 

》 About Niger

Niger was ruled by the Tuareg people in the northern Sahara for a long time, while several Hausa kingdoms were established in the southern part of the country. Niger was under French colonial rule from 1904 to 1960. After gaining independence, it led a stable political development as a unified country combining multiple ethnic groups, but in 1974, Lieutenant Colonel Kuntse led a military coup and seized power, forming a strong one-man dictatorship. When Kuntse died in 1987, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces designated Chief of Staff Ali Saibu as his successor. In 1993, Mahamane Ousmane, leader of the opposition alliance’s Social Democratic Party, was elected president. In 1996, Colonel Ibrahim Barre Mainassara overthrew the Ousmane government, ending six years of multi-party democracy. In 1999, a democratic government was established when Mamadou Tanza took power. As a presidential republic, Mohamed Bazoum is currently serving as president in 2021.

Niger is one of the poorest nations globally, with its economy reliant on subsistence agriculture, livestock, and substantial uranium reserves. Agriculture accounts for approximately 40% of GDP, providing livelihoods for more than 80% of the population. Subsistence crops, such as grains, as well as export crops like peanuts and cotton, are grown in the southern Savannah. The northern desert region relies heavily on pastoralism. The United Nations ranked Niger as the world’s second least developed country in 2016, citing issues like food insecurity, a lack of industry, high population growth, a weak education sector, and limited job opportunities beyond subsistence farming and pastoralism. The country continues to face serious challenges with food insecurity and drought. The government plans to invest more in irrigation to combat these issues. Niger’s mounting national debt and the declining price of uranium on the global market are ongoing economic concerns, further straining the nation’s financial stability.
Niger’s GDP per capita is approximately $1,200.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Niger is an Islamic country with over 93% of the population identifying as Muslim, yet it is a secular state with religious freedom and minimal restrictions on missionary activities. Let us be thankful that through the spread of the Gospel, Christianity has grown from 0.3% of the population 10 years ago to 1.6%, and the number of evangelicals has reached 1%, or about 240,000. Many churches have been established, providing aid in areas such as education, well-digging, leprosy care, and medical services. These churches have been founded mainly among ethnic groups like the Udabe, Manga Kanuri, Jarma, Tuareg, and Songhai, with believers gradually increasing. Admist social and cultural pressures, some converts from Islam have risen to lead these churches as pastors. Many believers remain isolated, and high illiteracy rates make it difficult to gather for Bible study or training sessions.
The church in Niger is represented by the Association of Evangelical Churches and Missions in Niger (AMEEN), which is an interdenominational evangelical body leading efforts for evangelization. For leadership training, the Evangelical Churches (EERN) and the Union of Evangelical Protestant Churches (UPEEN) run secondary Bible schools. Five churches working with SIM operate two higher-level Bible schools (ESPRiT), while smaller Bible schools, such as those operated by the Bible Baptist Institute and TEE, also provide training and education.
Let us pray that more leaders grounded in the Word will be established to nurture the believers in truth. Let us also pray that believers will be taught literacy and biblical truth, so that they may be guided in righteousness.

2. Overseas missionaries have gained trust through relief efforts such as aid, development, healthcare, and education, which have drawn the interest of many people. The number of missionaries from countries like Nigeria and Brazil has increased. As religious freedom is guaranteed, the gospel must be preached actively to Muslims. Recently, the power of radical Islamic groups has grown in some regions, making it difficult for Christians and missionaries to live in some provinces. As the poorest country in the world, Niger is supported by organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, Impact Niger, World Vision (WVI), and Lutheran World Relief, which provide aid and development projects. SIM has established the Galmi Hospital, and the Danza Hospital treats leprosy patients. The Calvary Mission (CARPRO) is focusing on preaching the gospel to prostitutes and serving them, addressing a growing prostitution problem in southern Niger.
Let us pray for grace and wisdom for missionaries and relief organizations, that they may lead the souls of the Nigerien people to Jesus Christ. We also pray that more workers will be sent to the harvest as religious freedom continues to prevail in Niger.

3. Fifty percent of the population is under 14 years of age, and over 70% is under 24 years of age. Education is needed to change Niger, but the government lacks the capacity to educate the children, leaving many children, especially girls, without access to school. SIM, Tearfund, World Horizon, and various Nigerien denominations are opening and operating schools. Organizations like Navigators, CCCI, and GBU/IFES are working to evangelize youth and young adults.
Let us pray that the gospel of the cross will powerfully reach the next generation in Niger, that Jesus Christ may become their Shepherd. We also pray that the gospel will spread quickly to all people groups of Niger, including the Hausa, Zarma, Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Songhai, Tubu, Arabized Berbers, Moors, and others. SIM, the Baptists, Sahara Desert Mission, the International Mission Board (IMB), and Youth with a Mission (YWAM) are all involved in comprehensive work, with the Summer Language Institute (SIL) handling Bible translation. Let us pray that the gospel may be spread across the country through radio, audio media ministries, the Jesus Film, and Internet ministries. We pray that missionaries who have long served various people groups will not be discouraged and that the hearts of those who do not yet know the gospel will be opened, so that abundant fruit of souls being saved may come forth.

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