Spotlight | Niger
Brussels tussle over €70m for Nigerien army

The New Guard
Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Burundi

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Burkina FasoKassoum Traoré, running the online strategy of his older brother… the president

MadagascarReboza Mahefa, an architect with an international agenda

Burundi Willy Eloge Kaneza, journalist and long-term advocate for press rights

Mauritania
France's Technamm boosts the army with EU funding

As part of the European Union's support programme for the G5 Sahel joint force, the Mauritanian army has received a batch of militarised pick-ups.

Mali, Niger, Senegal
Qatari foreign minister to tour Sahel states

Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi is due to visit Niger, Mali and Senegal at some point next week, in an order that has yet to be defined.

Niger
Brussels repatriates its last Niamey-based soldiers

The four Belgian military personnel who were still working in Niger returned home in December. Brussels had maintained a small team in the country to provide security for its embassy.

Niger
Berlin prepares its return to Niamey

Almost a year and a half after ending its cooperation with Niger, Germany is about to resume its development aid. An agreement is due to be finalised in the next few days.

Chad, Mauritania
EU to supply drones to N'Djamena and Nouakchott

Expertise France has launched a tender call to supply two surveillance drone systems to Chad and another to Mauritania.

Niger
EU ambassador's recall slows down Niamey-Berlin rapprochement

A diplomatic crisis between Niger and the European Union has derailed Germany's bid to resume its development aid. For several weeks, Berlin has been quietly trying to re-engage with the junta.

Sahel
Brussels mulls €35m disbursement to Chadian and Mauritanian armies

The European Union plans to allocate the remainder of a major aid package released seven years ago for the G5 Sahel countries to Chad and Mauritania. That €35m package will be used solely to finance non-lethal equipment.

West Africa
YARIS marine surveillance platform delivery delayed

The Gulf of Guinea GoGIN II project is running behind schedule.

Niger
Niamey and French airship maker A-NSE clash over military contract

The French airship manufacturer A-NSE is planning to take legal action against Niger's defence ministry headed by General Salifou Modi over a contract signed in 2018 for the delivery of two T-C60L surveillance airships to the Nigerien Armed Forces.

Sahel
Despite criticism, EU special envoy for Sahel seeks re-election

Italy's Emanuela Del Re, the European Union's special envoy for the Sahel, is seeking re-election, yet several European capitals are far from keen.

Benin
EU readies further €35m in military aid for Cotonou

Brussels is poised to offer fresh financial help to the Beninese army in its combat against terrorism, having already released funds last year.

Niger
Niamey turns to UN for medical equipment

Niger's health ministry has signed a $14.6m contract with UNICEF and UNOPS.

West Africa
ECOWAS heads of state to meet on 7 July

The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will meet in Abuja on 7 July for their annual summit.

Niger
AFD faces uncertain future in Niamey

France's AFD development agency, the last remaining symbol of the country's presence since the 2023 coup, is facing significant issues in Niger. The French ambassador to Niger will also leave his post in the coming months.

West Africa
French ambassadors to meet in Cotonou

The 10 or so French ambassadors posted in ECOWAS capitals will gather in Cotonou, Benin for their traditional annual conference on 25-26 April.

Niger
Bazoum to be allowed visitors?

Under house arrest since 26 July 2023, the former president of Niger has asked to be allowed to see his family.

Benin
Atos to boost Benin's aviation intelligence

The debt-burdened French IT services group has been selected to modernise the Beninese army's airborne capabilities in collaboration with France's Défense Conseil International (DCI).

Niger
US withholds armoured vehicles after junta ends military cooperation

The breakdown in military cooperation between the United States and Niger, announced on 16 March by General Abdourahamane Tchiani's junta, is likely to have a direct impact on the modernisation of the Forces Armées Nigériennes (FAN).

Niger
Junta deals fatal blow to military cooperation with Paris

Niger's military leader has recalled the country's defence attaché in Paris. And for the first time in nearly fifty years, Niamey will not be sending any of its officers to France for training.

Africa
French operators bag €100m in EU security contracts in Africa

Expertise France, l'Economat des Armées and DCI are the main beneficiaries of the EU's European Peace Facility for missions in Africa.

Sahel
Expertise France is EU favourite for military contracts in Sahel

Expertise France has pocketed nearly €200m in European funds over the past two years for a variety of G5 Sahel projects that include military equipment delivery and army support programme management.