French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking last on the United Nations Development Fund index of human development.

Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Niger Air Force

A passport, visa, and proof of yellow fever inoculation are required.  Travelers from the United States should obtain a visa before arriving in Niger; failure to do so could result in being denied entry.  Travelers should obtain the latest information on entry/exit requirements from the Embassy of the Republic of Niger, 2204 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone: (202) 483-4224.  Visit the Embassy of Niger website for the most current visa information.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

Airports: 28, Airports w/paved runways: 9

Niamey – Diori Hamani International Airport (NIM/DRRN)
Niamey Airport, Niger, BP 1096, Niamey, NIGER REPUBLIC
Tel: +227 (0)73.25.17/9
Fax: +227 (0)73.55.12
 

The United States Department of State issued a Travel Alert for Niger for August 4, 2009 through August 31, 2009.  This information is available online at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4546.html.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Niger immediately before and after the constitutional referendum on August 4, 2009, and recommends against all non-emergency travel to Niger at this time.  This Travel Alert expires on August 31, 2009.

If approved, the new constitution would extend President Mamadou Tandja’s current term in office by three years and allow unlimited five-year presidential terms.  Demonstrations for and against the referendum have primarily been peaceful.  However, on July 15, 2009, security forces in Niamey used tear gas and batons to disrupt a women’s rally in support of the dissolved Constitutional Court.  Also, on June 1, 2009, a violent clash occurred outside of Niamey between groups demonstrating for and against the referendum. 

 In light of the volatile political environment, the U.S. Embassy in Niamey has temporarily deferred the travel of U.S. Government visitors to Niger.  U.S. citizens are urged to defer their travel to Niger as well.

The State Department wishes to remind Americans that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and quickly escalate into violence.  As a result, U.S. citizens are urged to avoid demonstrations and to exercise extreme caution within the vicinity of any large public gathering.  U.S. citizens in Niger should also stock up on food, water, and other basic necessities due to possible disruptions in the delivery of goods and services. 

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to take responsibility for their own personal safety and security.  American citizens should keep abreast of local events, monitor local news sources, and maintain heightened situational awareness at all times.

The U.S. Embassy in Niamey is located on Rue des Ambassades.  The Embassy’s mailing address is B.P. 11201, Niamey, Republic of Niger.  The Embassy’s telephone number is (227) 20-72-26-61.  For after-hours emergencies involving American citizens, please call (227) 20-72-31-41.  The Embassy's web site is http://niamey.usembassy.gov/index.html.

Updated information on travel and security in Niger may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.  For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Niger and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov. 

US citizens are advised to avoid street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times. In early 2007, demonstrators smashed the windshield of a vehicle belonging to an American citizen who inadvertently drove into a demonstration.
As of May 17, 2007, the US Embassy in Niamey prohibits official personnel from traveling into areas of Niger to the north of Abalack.
Crime is at a critical level due primarily to thefts, robberies, and residential break-ins. Foreigners are particularly vulnerable to attempts of bribery and extortion by law enforcement authorities. Thefts and petty crimes are common day or night. However, armed attacks are normally committed at night by groups of two to four persons, with one assailant confronting the victim with a knife while the others provide surveillance or a show of force. Tourists should not walk alone around the Gaweye Hotel, National Museum, and on or near the Kennedy Bridge at any time, or the Petit Marche after dark. These areas are especially prone to muggings and should be avoided. Walking at night is not recommended as streetlights are scarce and criminals have the protection of darkness to commit their crimes. Recent criminal incidents in Niger have included carjackings, sexual assaults, home invasions, and muggings. In December 2000, an American was killed in a carjacking incident in Niamey, and another American was gravely wounded in a carjacking incident outside of Niamey in 2004. In 2007, two American citizens were raped and two others attacked with a machete. Travelers should always keep their doors locked and windows rolled up when stopped at stoplights. 

Infant MR total: 116.83 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: TOTAL 44.03 years (male 44.05/female 44)
 

Required: Yellow Fever

Recommended: Malaria, Hep A & B, Typhoid, Meningococcal, Rabies, Polio, Boosters: MMR, DPT, as needed

Malaria risk area in Niger: All

Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in West Africa. African trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness) has increased in Africa (it is epidemic in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Sudan; and highly endemic in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mozambique, Uganda, and Tanzania; low levels are found in most of the other countries), and an increase in travelers has been noted since 2000. Most had exposures in Tanzania and Kenya, reflecting common tourist routes. Protecting yourself against insect bites will help to prevent these diseases.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, can be contracted in fresh water in this region.

Polio outbreaks were reported in several previously polio-free countries in Central, Eastern, and Western Africa beginning in 2003. Polio is still endemic in Nigeria.

Many countries in this region have high incidence rates of tuberculosis and high HIV prevalence rates.

Health facilities are extremely limited in Niamey and urban centers, and completely inadequate outside the capital. Although physicians are generally well trained, even the best hospitals in Niamey suffer from inadequate facilities, antiquated equipment and shortages of supplies (particularly medicine). Emergency assistance is limited.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has been found in poultry populations in several countries in Africa. Avoid all direct contact with birds, including domestic poultry (such as chickens and ducks) and wild birds, and avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live birds are raised or kept. For a current list of countries reporting outbreaks of H5N1 among poultry and/or wild birds, view updates from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and for total numbers of confirmed human cases of H5N1 virus by country see the World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza website.

Country Code: +227
Internet Code: .ne