Niger's Prime Minister Calls for Integrated Education System in Sahel Alliance

On November 10, 2026, in Niamey, Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine addressed the first Conference of Ministers of Education and Training of the Sahel Alliance countries. He emphasized the need to rebuild the education systems of the Alliance's member countries, focusing on creating an education system based on Sahelian values, sovereignty, and economic development. This initiative aims to prepare the youth to contribute to the strengthening of sovereignty and the construction of a prosperous Sahelian space.

The conference, themed "Building an Integrated, Sovereign, and Resilient Education and Training System for the Development of the Sahel Alliance," seeks to enhance cooperation among the three member states in education and vocational training. The Prime Minister highlighted that this meeting reflects the will of the three Heads of State - General Abdourahamane Tiani, General Assimi Goïta, and Captain Ibrahim Traoré - to establish a solid institutional framework for peace, solidarity, and shared progress.

According to Prime Minister Zeine, education and vocational training are essential tools for preparing the youth to contribute to the reinforcement of sovereignty and the construction of a prosperous Sahelian space. He stressed the importance of eliminating ideological substrata that could hinder the unity and cohesion of the Sahel Alliance peoples, such as the devaluation of manual work and complexes that undermine self-esteem.

The Prime Minister advocated for an education system based on values such as work, solidarity, responsibility, and attachment to the independence of the Sahel Alliance. He also emphasized the need to strengthen scientific and technical education throughout the school curriculum to meet the needs of strategic sectors, including agriculture, health, infrastructure, and the exploitation and transformation of natural resources.

Prime Minister Zeine encouraged the ministers to engage in in-depth reflection on the overhaul of the education systems in the three countries, aiming to establish a coherent framework through the harmonization of programs, teaching quality, and mobility of sector actors. He believes that a strong scientific and technical education system will enable students to participate qualitatively in the construction of their economies, regardless of their level of education.

Jacques Sosthène Dingara, Minister of Basic Education, Literacy, and Promotion of National Languages of Burkina Faso, which holds the presidency of the Sahel Alliance, also spoke at the conference. He highlighted the strategic importance of education and training in the development of the Sahel Alliance countries and reaffirmed the commitment of Burkina Faso to this initiative.

The conference aims to strengthen cooperation among the Sahel Alliance countries in education and vocational training, with a focus on building a sovereign and resilient education system. The outcome of this meeting is expected to contribute to the development of the Sahel Alliance countries and enhance the quality of education and training for their citizens.

Key points

• The Sahel Alliance countries aim to establish an integrated education system based on Sahelian values and sovereignty.