Niger steps up efforts to expand access to digital services
October 14th 2025
The digital divide is quite pronounced in Niger. Official data shows that approximately 70% of the population lacks internet access.
Nigerien authorities are continuing their efforts to expand access to digital services. On Monday, October 13, the Minister of Communication and New Information Technologies, Adji Ali Salatou, established an ad hoc committee tasked with developing a strategy for universal access to digital services and its action plan.
According to the minister, this initiative aims to “bring electronic communication services to the many rural areas and localities still lacking connectivity, thus helping to reduce the digital divide that persists between regions and between citizens.”
Mr. Salatou emphasized that the future strategy will enable the Universal Access Fund to fully play its role in opening up the country’s digital landscape. Codified by Decree No. 2018 736 PRN of October 19, 2018, this fund is managed by the National Agency for the Information Society (ANSI). It is funded by contributions from licensed telecom operators (2% of their turnover) and those with authorization (1%), as well as support from development partners, donations and legacies, and public subsidies.
Niger is also investing in the Smart Villages for Rural Growth and Financial Inclusion (SVIP) project, implemented over the 2020–2026 period with USD 100 million in World Bank financing. The program aims to provide digital connectivity to 1.9 million rural residents and promote digital financial inclusion. It provides 3G/4G coverage for 2,175 localities, broadband connection for 300 schools and 340 integrated health centers, and the construction of 150 digital centers across the country. However, the project’s implementation slowed in 2024 due to the change in governance in 2023. Its resumption was discussed during a meeting between Nigerien authorities and the World Bank in June 2025.
The country also awarded an operating license to the American company Starlink in November 2024, ahead of the launch of its services in March 2025. Authorities believe this arrival will help improve internet and mobile service penetration through satellite internet connectivity. Meanwhile, Niger and other member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA) plan to deploy their own satellites to strengthen regional telecom coverage.
According to data from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), 3G and 4G covered only 24% and 17.5% of the population, respectively, in 2022. The Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP) indicates that by the end of March 2025, overall geographic coverage reached 32%, although this figure was affected by the absence of data from Niger Telecom. Population coverage stood at 77%, with a mobile penetration rate of 59.73% and an internet penetration rate of 40%. At the end of 2023, the ITU estimated the internet penetration rate in the country at 23.2%.
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