Promoting economic development and employment in Niger
Project description
Project title: Improving employment and income opportunities (ProEMPLOI II)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Co-funded by: European Union
Country: Niger
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Planning
Overall term: 2021 to 2023
Context
Niger’s economy is uncompetitive, not very diversified and hardly integrated into international trade. The formal labour market is rudimentary. This results in underemployment and in-work poverty, as well as gender inequality. There is a lack of economic prospects, especially for young people, who make up the majority of the population.
More than 80 per cent of the private sector consists of informal businesses. It creates only around 10 per cent of the jobs in the country. The framework conditions for private-sector activities are also still unfavourable. Overall, there is a lack of investment and competent and powerful structures to support the professionalisation of companies.
In addition, the COVID-19 crisis has led to severe losses for almost all companies in the project regions.
Objective
The employment and income situation of young people and companies in the intervention areas has improved.
Approach
The project holds seminars and training courses to improve the employment and income situation of young people and companies in the Agadez, Tillabéri and Zinder regions. It also takes immediate measures to generate income in the short term.
The project helps to improve the conditions for inclusive employment of young people in order to promote long-term stability and social cohesion. The European Union is financing the activities in Tillabéri.
The project works in four fields of activity:
- Laying the foundations for implementing policies and strategies for employment and economic development.
- Improving the training and vocational guidance offered (implemented by the GOPA Consulting Group).
- Expanding economic activities.
- Creating more business development services for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Last update: June 2021