The country is susceptible to fluctuations in the price of its main export, uranium, and its agriculture is threatened by droughts and the encroaching desert. Niger is bargaining on oil exploration to boost its economic fortunes.

OVERVIEW

Historically a gateway between North and sub-Saharan Africa, Niger came under French rule in the late 1890s. After independence in 1960 its progress was stymied by political instability and a five-year-long drought, which devastated its livestock and crop production.

With only one third of primary school-age children receiving education, Niger has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Likewise, its health system is rudimentary and disease is widespread.

In 1990 a revolt by Tuareg tribes, who accused the government of failing to deliver on promised economic aid, developed into an armed rebellion, ending only in the mid-1990s.

In 1999 voters overwhelmingly approved a new constitution providing for presidential and legislative multi-party elections. These took place later in the year and saw Mamadou Tandja elected as president.

Niger banned the centuries-old practice of slavery in 2003. But anti-slavery organisations say thousands of people still live in subjugation.

FACTS

• Population: 12.9 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Niamey
• Area: 1.27 million sq km (489,000 sq miles)
• Major languages: French (official), Arabic, Hausa, Songhai
• Major religions: Islam, indigenous beliefs
• Life expectancy: 44 years (men), 44 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
• Main exports: Uranium, livestock products
• GNI per capita: US $200 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .ne
• International dialling code: +227

LEADERS

President: Mamadou Tandja

Mamadou Tandja comfortably won a second term

A retired lieutenant-colonel, Mamadou Tandja won a second and final term in the second round of presidential elections in December 2004.

Mr Tandja first took office in 1999. He heads the ruling National Movement for Society and Development.

Born in 1938, he took part in a coup which overthrew Diori Hamani, Niger's first elected president, in 1974, and subsequently served as interior minister.

He stood in the presidential election of 1993, but was beaten by Mahamane Ousmane. In 1996 he again ran for president, but lost to the incumbent ruler, Ibrahim Mainassara.

Mr Tandja has won praise for overseeing a return to relative stability in Niger. But widespread poverty, high unemployment and Niger's large foreign debt remain key challenges.