Niger’s electricity consumption in 2023 was just 77 kWh per person—about 2% of the global average of 3,853 kWh per person, or roughly one-fiftieth as much. Net electricity imports amounted to about 1.2 TWh. Domestic low-carbon electricity generation was close to none, at just 1 kWh per person. The supplied figures do not identify the sources of imported electricity or quantify domestic fossil generation, so a complete low-carbon versus fossil electricity breakdown is not possible. Such limited electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, irrigation and businesses, while making it harder to support electrification and future digital services.

Is Electricity Growing in Niger?

Niger’s latest figures do not show electricity consumption reaching new heights. Consumption in 2023 was 7 kWh per person below the previous record of 84 kWh in 2018—a decline of about 8% from that peak. Low-carbon electricity generation remained at its 2018 record of just 1 kWh per person, with no improvement at the reported precision. This stagnation is concerning: Niger needs substantially more clean electricity to improve living standards and meet growing demand. These record comparisons, however, do not establish whether electricity consumption increased or decreased specifically between 2022 and 2023.

Suggestions

Niger can increase clean electricity generation by prioritizing solar projects alongside stronger grids, local mini-grids and electricity storage. Useful examples include South Africa, with 19 TWh of solar generation, and sunny, dry regions such as the United Arab Emirates, with 14 TWh, and the US state of Arizona, with 24 TWh. Their experience can inform project procurement, workforce training and grid integration, although their output totals are not direct targets for Niger. Niger should also assess wind resources and consider nuclear electricity within its long-term development planning, including regional cooperation and the necessary technical and institutional preparation. South Africa’s 11 TWh of nuclear generation and the United Arab Emirates’ 32 TWh illustrate how nuclear can complement solar in a low-carbon electricity system. Together, solar, suitable wind projects and nuclear could support much greater electricity availability without expanding dependence on fossil fuels and their associated air pollution and climate impacts.

History

The supplied history shows very little recorded movement in Niger’s solar electricity generation. Every listed annual change from 2005–2010 and 2013–2023 is reported as zero TWh. Across these periods, there is therefore no visible expansion at the precision provided—a disappointing picture given the country’s enormous need for electricity growth. These rounded zero changes do not necessarily mean there was no solar generation or no small increase, and no entries are provided for 2011–2012. Overall, the record underscores the need to turn solar potential into a sustained, measurable expansion of clean electricity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade