Although named after the Niger River which flows in the country's south-west, Niger is predominantly a desert country, with the Sahara Desert occupying about 80 per cent of the country's landmass. Niger's capital city is Niamey.

Niger's economy is focused on subsistence crops, livestock and uranium mining (with some of the world's largest uranium reserves). Niger also has substantial reserves of oil.

French-speaking Niger is a member of La Francophonie, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union.

Australia's Ambassador to Niger is resident in Abuja, in neighbouring Nigeria.

Travel information

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Heads of Government

Includes Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Foreign, Trade and Aid Ministers.