Niger Records 7,116 Road Accidents in 2025, Resulting in 1,245 Deaths

The Nigerien government has announced that the country recorded 7,116 road accidents in 2025, resulting in 1,245 deaths and 4,439 severe injuries. This information was shared by Colonel Major Abdourahamane Amadou, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, during a message delivered on November 14, 2025, ahead of the 15th edition of the African Road Safety Day. The minister highlighted the alarming rate of road accidents in the country.

According to the World Health Organization, road accidents have decreased by 5% since 2010, but the numbers remain staggering, with 1.19 million deaths per year, or over two deaths per minute. The Minister emphasized that road accidents are the leading cause of mortality among children and young people aged 5-29 years, and that vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, account for 53% of victims.

In Niger, the situation is particularly concerning, with 7,116 road accidents recorded in 2025, resulting in 1,245 deaths and 4,439 severe injuries. The government has declared 2026 as the "Year of Road Discipline" with the goal of reducing the number of people killed on the roads by 30%, reducing the number of road accidents by 50%, and achieving 100% helmet use nationwide.

To achieve these goals, the government has identified several priorities, including public awareness campaigns, mass education, and strengthening the operational capacities of road safety actors. The government also plans to enhance road controls, reform the National Road Safety Agency, and implement stricter sanctions for road safety offenders.

The Minister of Transport identified several key causes of road accidents in Niger, including excessive speed, failure to respect rest times, fatigue while driving, alcohol and substance consumption, overloading of vehicles, and failure to respect traffic rules. He emphasized that road safety is not just the responsibility of the state, but of all citizens.

The 2026 edition of the African Road Safety Day, coupled with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, will be celebrated in Niger under the national theme "Zero Tolerance on Our Roads: Sensitize, Control, Inspect, and Repress". The government has announced a strengthened and unannounced control device, involving the Ministry of Transport, the National Road Safety Agency, the National Police, and the National Gendarmerie.

The Nigerien government is urging all citizens, including transporters, drivers, motorcyclists, and their passengers, parents, teachers, religious and customary leaders, media, and civil society, to take responsibility for road safety. The government aims to reduce the number of road accidents and promote a culture of road safety in the country.

Key points

• The Nigerien government has declared 2026 as the "Year of Road Discipline" with the goal of reducing road accidents and promoting road safety.