The National Institute of Statistics (INS) of Niger held a workshop in Niamey on September 30, 2026, to present and enrich the National Study on the production and trade of gold from Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (EMAPE). The study aims to improve the estimation of the contribution of artisanal gold to the country's national production and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The workshop was presided over by the Director-General of INS, Moussa Maman Hassan.
According to the study, the production of gold from EMAPE is estimated at approximately 3.17 tonnes in 2025, with a value of 188.3 billion FCFA. The value added generated by the production activity of EMAPE is estimated at nearly 124 billion FCFA. The study also found that about half of the production is sold on the national territory, while the other part is sold abroad.
The study highlighted several challenges that need to be considered in interpreting the results. These include the security situation, which did not allow access to certain sites, particularly in Tahoua. Additionally, a significant part of the transactions escapes formal circuits, and the seasonality of activities and mobility of operators complicate continuous monitoring.
The study also noted that undeclared gold flows to neighboring countries limit the exhaustiveness of the estimation of production and exports. Despite these challenges, the study provides valuable insights into the artisanal gold sector in Niger. The INS Director-General emphasized that the report formulates several recommendations to address these challenges.
The recommendations include the progressive formalization of exploitations and marketing actors, simplification of certain procedures, improvement of access to formal sales circuits, and reinforcement of the statistical information system on the mining sub-sector. The INS aims to have a robust report that meets the needs of monitoring the extractive sector, formulating public policies, and improving economic governance.
The study's findings and recommendations are expected to contribute to the development of the artisanal gold sector in Niger. The sector is considered strategic for the country's economy. The INS plans to use the study as a basis for regular production of statistics on this sub-sector.
The workshop brought together various stakeholders, including government officials, miners, and traders. The INS Director-General concluded that the ambition of the INS is to have a robust report that responds to the needs of the sector and contributes to the improvement of economic governance in Niger.
Key points
- Niger's artisanal gold production is estimated at 3.17 tonnes in 2025, worth 188.3 billion FCFA.
- The study highlights the need for progressive formalization of exploitations and marketing actors.
- The INS aims to have a robust report that meets the needs of monitoring the extractive sector and improving economic governance.
