Niger’s Ministry of the interior has moved to suspend the activities of hundreds of non-governmental organisations (NGO) and development associations, both local and foreign, after they failed to submit their 2024 financial statements.

The organisations have been given 60 days to regularise their paperwork. While the government has not specified exactly how many groups are affected, the announcement follows a national forum held in Tillabéri from October 29 to 31, where officials and civil society representatives examined how NGOs are operating in the country.

Journalist and political analyst Ibrahim Moussa says the decision did not come as a surprise. “The authorities have been signalling for some time that they want stricter oversight,” he explained. “Transparency is important, but there is genuine worry that tightening the rules too quickly could slow down essential humanitarian work, especially in areas already under pressure.”

–ChannelAfrica–