Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Aminata Maiga Djibrilla Toure
Embassy: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
Fax: (202) 483-3169

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Bisa Williams
Embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey
Mailing Address: B. P. 11201, Niamey
Telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64
Fax: [227] 73 31 67


Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Niger
http://embassyofniger.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1
Embassy of the United States of America in Niger


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Niger in 1960, following its independence from France. U.S. relations with Niger since its independence have generally been close and friendly. In 2010, a military junta took power after overthrowing the former president, who had tried to extend his rule unconstitutionally. A new president was inaugurated in 2011, returning Niger to constitutional, civilian rule. A poor 2011 harvest, the violence in Libya, and the security threat from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Nigeria-based group Boko Haram have complicated the government's efforts to improve Niger's economy, strengthen governance, and address human rights. The United States has commended Niger for its actions to consolidate and advance democratic institutions in its own country and to promote stability in the region, including its support for refugees who have fled the 2012 turbulence in neighboring Mali.

U.S. Assistance to Niger

U.S. foreign assistance to Niger plays a critical role in preserving stability in a country vulnerable to political volatility and food insecurity. U.S. assistance seeks to continue to improve food security, strengthen reproductive health and child nutrition services, support productive agricultural enterprises, promote good governance, and strengthen military education and training.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world. Its largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. U.S. exports to Niger include rice, vehicles, food-preparation goods, machinery, and fats and oils. The primary import from Niger to the United States is mineral fuel (oil). Niger is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The United States has a trade and investment framework agreement with the West African Economic and Monetary Union, of which Niger is a member. Niger has signed a bilateral investment agreement with the United States.

Niger's Membership in International Organizations

Niger and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Niger is Bisa Williams; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Niger maintains an embassy in the United States at 2204 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-483-4224).

More information about Niger is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Niger Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Niger Page
U.S. Embassy: Niger
History of U.S. Relations With Niger
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Millennium Challenge Corporation
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Niger check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving TBA
Currency (XOF) Africaine Franc
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 227

Currency, weights, and measures: Local currency is the CFA franc, presently exchanged at 575 CFA francs=US$1. The same currency is used throughout most of former French West Africa. Metric weights and measures are used. Temperatures are in centigrade.

Health: Check latest information on required immunizations. Suggested immunizations are yellow fever, tetanus, typhoid, and polio. Malaria suppressants and gamma globulin are recommended. Although Niamey has a filtering plant, water is not potable and should be filtered and boiled, or treated with purification pills. Outside Niamey, observe the same precautions.

Telecommunications: Niamey has telephone, telegraph, and fax facilities. Calls to the U.S. may be made at any time, but quality of reception varies. Niamey is 6 hours ahead of eastern standard time (5 hours when the east coast is on daylight savings time). Niger does not observe daylight savings time. International airmail letters to or from the eastern U.S. take 3-6 days; service is fairly regular.

Transportation: Travel within Niger and to neighboring countries is by air and road. Scheduled air service is available to neighboring capitals. Major airlines operating in Niger are Air France and Air Afrique. Of the three major roads leading from Niamey, one is paved for the first 100 km. (60 mi.) towards Tillaberi; another is paved for 700 km. (460 mi.) to Agadez, and the third is paved for 1,240 km. (770 mi.) through Dosso, Maradi, Zinder, Goure, and to Nguigmi. Other roads in Niger are paved for short distances. Taxis are the only public transportation in Niamey that is somewhat adequate, inexpensive, and generally obtainable in business or market areas.

Tourist attractions: These include the wildlife parks at Park W, Boubon Island recreation area in the Niger River near Niamey, the area of Say near the Benin border, and Diffa on Lake Chad. Historic sites include Tahoua; Agadez, with its 16th century mosque; ruins of the Sokoto Empire in Maradi and Konni; and Zinder, the colonial capital of Niger until the capital relocated to Niamey in the 1920s. Native art and handicrafts are available, particularly at Agadez. (However, travel to Agadez and other northern cities is discouraged due to ongoing political and ethnic tension.)

National holidays: The U.S. Embassy is closed on the following official Nigerien holidays; shops and businesses also may be closed.
New Year's Day -- January 1
Id-al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)* -- March
Easter Monday* -- April
Niger Labor Day -- May 1
Ad-Al-Adha/Tabaski* -- June
Niger Independence Day -- August 3
Mohammed's Birthday/Mouloud* -- August
National Unity Day -- December 18
Christmas Day -- December 25
Date changes annually


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Applicable only to psgrs 15 yrs and older- tobacco....200 cigarettes or 100 small cigars or 25 large cigars or 250 grams of tobacco

Liquor.............................1 bottle of wine

Perfume..........................1/2 litre eau de toilette or 1/4 litre perfume

Cameras.........................no restrictions

Film...............................reasonalbe for personal use

Gifts...............................duty free reasonable amount of new/used clothing


Temporary importation:
the below items may be imported temporarily free of duty:
record player with 10 records
1 radio receiver
1 tape recorder with 2 magnetic tapes
1 portable typewriter
1 tent with camping accessories
1 childs perambulator
1 film camera with 10 rolls of film
1 portable musical instrument
1 iron
1 pair of binoculars
1 canoe or kayak /less than 5m 50 long/
Personal sports and fishing equipment
A small number of electrical appliances for
M edical or grooming purposes
500 grams of personal jewelry

Other authorized imports

A tourist may temporarily import a vehicle if the vehicle is covered by triptych or if the tourist has a customs carnet. these carnets are issued by the responsible bodies in the tourist*s home country. in the absence of these documents, cars may be admitted temporarily under the simplified procedure.

Vehicles must have international insurance.

Souvenirs may be exported free of duty up to a limit in quantities and value deemed reasonable by the customs officers.



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