4.5 ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH
FRANCE
Niger is one of the poorest nations of the world. At least, by
African standard, is growing to be a rich nation. The Gross Domestic Product of
Niger in the early seventies was 90,000 CFA francs (at that time, one U.S
dollar equals 250.00 CFA francs). But it declined during the drought years.
According to IMF, statistics in 1975, the Gross National Product for Niger in
1975, stood at 380 million dollars. Niger's main export trade comprises of
livestock, hides and skins, groundnuts and uranium. Niger produces the largest
number of livestock in West Africa, perhaps in the world. The production of
uranium increased by 50% in 1975.
Owing to the large geographical size but, very small
population and lack of capital and technical know-how it was considered
necessary for Niger to request foreign aid and investment. Niger is determined
to cooperate with all states willing to bring her the investment capital and
technical aid needed for development. This policy has been pursued vigorously
both by the former civilian regime and the present military regime (General
Seyni Kountché) Niger's relations with France are thus oriented towards
economic development than other areas of interaction. The question is how best
this objective could be achieved? The policy makers of Niger found the answer
in bilateral relations.
Niger's pattern of trade during the military era (1974 - 1987)
remained predominantly western (France). France remained the major trading
partner. From 1975 to 1977, France's share of Niger's import constantly
remained more than 50% of Niger's total world trade. Export increased with
France due to the uranium.
From 1974 to 1987, two thirds of all financial and technical
aid received by Niger came from France. France still subsidizes Niger's
development budget. In 1974, she increased her subsidy from 9% of the total
budget to 13.5%. France is not only the major trading partner but also major
source of private investment and aid. French aid to Niger in 1975 alone
amounted to 70,200 million CFA francs. The aid is multipurpose. It includes
educational, medical, technical research, communication and transport sector
(see table). France's assistance to Niger in the struggle against drought was
much more than any single country. France also donated aircraft, lorries, and
ambulances to Niger's Armed Forces (FAN) .35
In 1976, three agreements totaling nearly 2,800 million CFA
francs had been signed between Niger and France. This amount included 1,000
million CFA francs of annual aid to National Investment Fund.60
4.5.1 FRENCH AID TO NIGER
|
YEAR
|
AMOUNT
|
PURPOSE
|
|
1974
|
100 million CFA f.
|
1. Niamey Air Terminal
|
|
1974
|
320 million CFA f.
|
Zinder's Teachers College
Niamey oral Traditional Research Center.
Child and mother protection center and hospital equipment.
|
|
1974
|
27.5 million CFA f.
|
Hydraulic studies
|
|
1974
|
102 million CFA f.
|
Tsernaoua-Tahoua road
|
|
1974
|
142.5 million CFA f.
|
Educational Television
|
|
1975
|
1,000 million CFA f.
|
Multipurpose
|
|
Sept. 1975
|
217.95 million CFA f.
|
Technical, medical and library project
|
|
1975
|
1,000 million CFA f.
|
National Investment Fund
|
|
1975
|
515 million CFA f.
|
Schools TV program
|
|
1976
|
907 million CFA f.
|
Secom project, including Tahoua road construction
|
|
1976
|
100,000 million CFA f.
|
Purchase of medical equipment.
|
Source: Figures and dates have been collected from various
issues of the following:
Africa Research bulletin, Africa contemporary record, Africa
confidential and West Africa.
| 
