The government of Niger has announced new measures to regulate the physical transport of funds within the country. According to a communiqué from the Secretariat General of the Government, published on September 22, 2026, any transport of funds exceeding certain thresholds will require prior declaration to competent services. This move aims to better control significant financial movements within the national territory, particularly in the context of the fight against terrorism and its financing.
The new regulations are a response to controls carried out by defense and security forces in the fight against terrorism. These operations have highlighted the need to differentiate between regular fund movements and those that may be suspicious. The regulations concern transports of funds that exceed thresholds set by banking regulations. A prior declaration must then be made to competent services, in accordance with a joint decree No. 000428 establishing a special regime for the transport of funds.
The declaration is mandatory beyond the thresholds set by banking regulations. The communiqué specifies that beyond the maximum thresholds fixed by banking regulations, the transport of funds must be subject to prior declaration to competent services. However, control does not automatically imply blocking of the operation. If the documents provided are compliant and their content matches the amount transported, the movement of funds can continue without delay.
The government's objective is double: to strengthen the fight against terrorism financing and illicit financial circuits, while allowing licit funds necessary for economic activity to circulate in a secure framework. The regulations also provide for the restitution of previously seized funds to their legitimate owners, provided that the origin, ownership, and destination of the funds are duly justified.
The implementation of the new regulations falls under the ministries responsible for Economy and Finance, Justice, and Interior and Public Security. Each ministry must take necessary dispositions within its area of competence to apply the new device. The communiqué does not specify the amount of the thresholds from which the declaration becomes mandatory, referring to thresholds set by banking regulations and joint decree No. 000428.
This development occurs in a context where Nigerien authorities seek to strengthen surveillance of financial circuits that may contribute to terrorism financing, while distinguishing regular operations from suspicious movements. A regional framework has already been strengthened, with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) adopting reinforced rules against money laundering and terrorism financing.
The new regulations aim to make fund transports "more fluid, more secure, and licit." The government requests that financial institutions, payment companies, economic operators, and populations respect established procedures. The measure is part of a broader effort to combat terrorism financing and ensure that legitimate economic activities can continue without hindrance.
Key points
- The new regulations require prior declaration for physical transport of funds exceeding certain thresholds.
- The measures aim to strengthen the fight against terrorism financing and illicit financial circuits.
- The regulations also provide for the restitution of previously seized funds to their legitimate owners.
