Factbook
History of Niger — Timeline
Key dates in the history of Niger, from the Magna Factbook and the Universal Encyclopedia.
1916France experienced determined local resistance -- particularly during the Tuareg uprising (1916-1917) -- but established a colonial administration in 1922.
1960After achieving independence from France in 1960, Niger experienced single-party or military rule until 1991, when political pressure forced General Ali SAIBOU to allow multiparty elections.
1960Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France).
1996Political infighting and democratic backsliding led to coups in 1996 and 1999.
1999In 1999, military officers restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power.
2004TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his presidential term.
2010In 2010, military officers led another coup that deposed TANDJA.
2011ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in 2011 and reelected in 2016.
2020Languages: Hausa, Zarma, French (official), Fufulde, Tamashek, Kanuri, Gurmancema, Tagdal Religions: Muslim 95.5%, ethnic religionist 4.1%, Christian 0.3%, agnostics and other 0.1% (2020 est.) Urban population: 17.1% of total population (2023).
2021In 2021, BAZOUM Mohamed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another.
2023Generation mix — fossil fuels: 97% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); solar: 3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) Energy use: 1.772 million Btu/person (2023 est.).
2023Industries: uranium mining, petroleum, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses Agriculture: millet, cowpeas, sorghum, onions, milk, sugarcane, cabbages, cassava, groundnuts, tomatoes (2023) Electricity access: 19.5% (2022 est.).
2023It is ranked fourth to last in the world on the UN Development Program's Human Development Index of 2023/2024.
2023Major urban areas: 1.437 million NIAMEY (capital) (2023) low-income Sahel economy; major instability and humanitarian crises limit economic activity; COVID-19 eliminated recent antipoverty gains; economy rebounding since December 2020 Nigerian border reopening and new investments; uranium resource rich Inflation: 9.1% (2024 est.).
2023Nonetheless, a military junta led by General Abdourahamane TIANI once again seized power in July 2023, detaining President BAZOUM and announcing the creation of a National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP).
2024Military spending: 2.2% of GDP (2024 est.).
2025Population: 27.3 million (2025 estimate).
