Until the coup in the Niger in 2023, Germany and the Niger cooperated extensively at bilateral level in the spheres of stabilisation, security and development. There were also numerous contacts between the Heads of Government and government ministers. However, in coordination with international partners, most of these activities were temporarily suspended or made subject to political provisos in response to the unconstitutional change of government in the Niger.

Ongoing bilateral cooperation focuses on civilian instruments to provide support for the people of the Niger. It includes humanitarian assistance and transitional development assistance. Since 1962, bilateral development cooperation to the tune of more than one billion euro has been channelled into sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture and administrative reform. In addition, individual stabilisation projects and measures in the fields of cultural affairs and education have also been funded.

Germany supported the Niger’s security sector until 2023, in particular through the German Government’s Enable and Enhance Initiative. Between 2016 and 2024, the German Government had an air transport base at Niamey airport which was used in particular to supply the German contingent in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). As part of the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy, Germany was involved in the EU Military Partnership Mission in Niger (EUMPM) and the EU Capacity Building Mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger). Both missions had to be terminated at the request of the Niger.