Niger projected as Africa’s fastest-growing economy for 2024 despite coup, ECOWAS exit

In an interesting turn of events, Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa, has the highest projection for economic growth in 2024. This is despite facing significant challenges, particularly with the West and the Economic Community of West African States. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), Niger holds the highest economic growth prospect for the year 2024.

Niger’s optimistic outlook comes at a time when the country grapples with the aftermath of a recent coup and its exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following economic sanctions. The AfDB’s projection for Niger underscores the country’s potential for growth and development, despite these complications which ordinarily would affect economic growth.

With a growth projection of 11.2%, Niger sits firmly at the top of African nations on the list of fastest-growing economies in 2024. Senegal comes next at 8.2%.

While the recent political developments have raised concerns about Niger’s stability and governance, they have not derailed the country’s economic progress. Some, including the journalist from Burkina Faso, Sy Marcus Herve Traore, argue that these challenges have spurred renewed efforts to address underlying issues and strengthen the country.
Recently, Niger, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso are forging ahead with plans to form their very own confederation. This idea has been bounced around since December 2023.

The Republic of Niger experienced a coup d’état on July 26, 2023, when President Mohamed Bazoum was detained by the presidential guard. A junta known as the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP) was created by senior officers from many branches of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS).

General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the commander of the presidential guard, declared himself the head of a new military junta shortly after it was confirmed that the coup had succeeded.

Since then, Niger’s government has harbored anti-west sentiments as it looks to initiate its style of government. Perhaps its zealous leadership and access to precious minerals such as Uranium, coal, and gold make for a potentially successful economy.