Names: conventional long form: Republic of Niger conventional short form: Niger local long form: Republique du Niger local short form: Niger

Capital City: Niamey

Population: 12,525,094 (July 2006 est.)

GDP Per Capita: $1,000 (2006 est.)

Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States (BCEAO)

Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Total Area: total: 1.267 million sq km land: 1,266,700 sq km water: 300 sq km slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Region: Africa

Industries: uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses

Agriculture: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry

Resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum

Labor Force: 70,000 salaried workers, 60% of whom are employed in the public sector (2002 est.)
agriculture: 90% industry: 6% services: 4%

Exports: $222 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions

Imports: $588 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Overview: Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking last on the United Nations Development Fund index of human development. It is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, and a 2.9% population growth rate, have undercut the economy. Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. In December 2005, Niger received 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translates into the forgiveness of approximately $86 million USD in debts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Uranium prices have increased sharply in the last few years. A drought and locust infestation in 2005 led to food shortages for as many as 2.5 million Nigeriens.

_{CIA World Book}

In 2007 Missouri exported $78,696 in goods to Niger. This ranks Niger 135^th among the 223 international buyers of Missouri goods. Missouri exports to Niger decreased from the previous year by $461,140 a change of -85.42%. State exports to Niger have increased over the last 5 years by $21,376 a change of 37.29%. Missouri exports account for .00%. of all 2007 US exports to Niger.