The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a conversation with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, H.E. Brigi Rafini. Also in attendance was H.E. Maman Sidikou, ambassador of the Republic of Niger to the United States. Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham moderated the not-for-attribution session, which focused on economic, security, and development priorities in Niger.
Though the West African nation is home to rich uranium and gold deposits, major developmental challenges remain. Niger’s geostrategic position, with conflicts ongoing in neighboring Libya, Mali, and Nigeria, also makes it of importance to US counterterrorism interests in the region. Participants at the dialogue included senior representatives from the US government, non-profit organizations, civil society, and private industry.