This study examines the labor market inclusion of young Nigeriens (18-35 years old), focusing on gender and poverty dynamics. It reveals that largely underemployed youth rely heavily on informal self-employment, with limited income security and restricted access to productive assets. The high cost of education significantly hinders labor market integration, particularly for the poorest. Migration is perceived as an opportunity, but it is often too costly and risky. Young women, particularly vulnerable, are increasingly entering the labor market to support their families, despite rigid gender norms. Changing social norms, community initiatives (such as tontines and support groups), and NGO support are key factors in youth inclusion. The report emphasizes the importance of accessible and relevant training and highlights how Niger's sociopolitical context shapes poverty trajectories and youth labor market participation.

Politics, Political party, Inequality, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Poverty, EMPLOYMENT

Despite improvements in certain indicators, the Nigerien healthcare system remains precarious and dominated by a logic of "inhospitable medicine." This fragility is largely explained by the predominance of intervention mechanisms and public policies largely dictated and funded by international donors, often far removed from local dynamics and the operational realities of healthcare services. However, in this constrained context, certain structures stand out for the quality of the care they provide. They are unique in that they are led by committed local actors, true "shadow reformers," who design pragmatic and contextually adapted solutions to daily dysfunctions. Based on an ethnographic investigation, this article examines the logics of innovation at work in these marginal spaces of transformation. Drawing on operational research, it argues for recognition and increased support for these bottom-up reform dynamics, which are likely to constitute a credible alternative – or at least a necessary complement – ​​to conventional approaches to improving health systems.

Politics, Governance, Public Administration, Health, Réforme, Politique publique

Despite some improvements, Niger's healthcare system remains fragile, characterized by "unwelcoming medical practices." Reform policies, often funded by international aid, struggle to adapt to the local realities of healthcare services. However, some facilities are providing better quality care thanks to "local reformers" who develop innovative solutions adapted to daily challenges, despite precarious working conditions. This article analyzes these local innovations using ethnographic data and proposes to explore "bottom-up" approaches to reforming the healthcare system, in addition to current strategies.

Governance, Public Administration, Health, Politique publique, Healthcare system

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for Niger (No. 61, Dec. 2024 - Jan. 2025) provides a generally positive assessment of the pastoral situation. Pasture is widely available thanks to good rainfall, while bushfires have decreased compared to the previous period. Surface water remains sufficient in most sites, and livestock body condition is considered good to fair. However, several suspected cases of animal diseases (sheep pox, foot-and-mouth disease, etc.) have been recorded, although these have been brought under control by veterinary services. There has also been a slight increase in livestock thefts. Markets are open, with good availability of livestock feed. Livestock and grain prices are rising, but terms of trade have improved, favoring pastoralists. The bulletin recommends continued vaccination, awareness-raising, and monitoring of pastoral resources.

Pastoralism, Livestock, Food security, Marché, Transhumance

This article examines the intersection between the politics of regionalism and security politics by analyzing the recent reorganization of regions. It explores how political communities are transforming into security regions, focusing on the political and security dynamics that influence these transformations. The study highlights the key factors contributing to this evolution and analyzes the implications for regional governance and international cooperation. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with this transformation of regional structures.

Politics, Governance, Security, Cooperation, Coopération régionale

The report, "Humanitarian Protection in the Liptako-Gourma Region," is the result of research conducted between 2020 and 2022 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and their local partners. This study focuses on the Liptako-Gourma region, located on the border between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, an area marked by a continued deterioration in security since 2015. The main objective was to assess the effectiveness of humanitarian protection programs and their interaction with local protection systems. Based on qualitative and quantitative data collected in the North and Sahel regions of Burkina Faso, Mopti in Mali, and Tillabéri in Niger, the research highlighted the complementarity between humanitarian protection mechanisms and local structures. It highlights the importance of integrating traditional protection systems to strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions.

Security, Crisis, Protection

Pastoralism plays a vital role in West and Central Africa, contributing to food security and biodiversity conservation. However, this way of life is threatened by climate change, land degradation, and socio-political conflicts. Action Against Hunger (ACF) has implemented various initiatives to strengthen the resilience of pastoral communities, including improving access to water and pasture, promoting sustainable practices, and establishing early warning systems. Regional and national policies support pastoralism through infrastructure, regulations promoting transhumance, and climate adaptation programs. However, challenges persist, including agricultural expansion, land privatization, resource conflicts, and widespread insecurity. A coordinated approach and concerted action are needed to preserve this essential way of life.

Economic Development, Livestock, Climate change, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Human security, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production

The study on traditional justice in the Sahel, carried out in two phases (2020 and 2022), analyzes the articulation between customary and state justice systems for better access to justice. It highlights the growing support of populations, including young people, for traditional justice, in the face of mistrust of formal justice, often perceived as inaccessible or inequitable. The study is based on a comparative and multidisciplinary approach, with a particular focus on the rights of women and children. The results show that customary systems, although legitimate in the eyes of the populations, have limitations, particularly in the protection of human rights. The study proposes a hybrid model integrating customary, religious, and formal justice to improve access to justice. Finally, it recommends the transcription of customary rules and awareness-raising on human rights to strengthen their complementarity with formal justice.

Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Violence, Customs, Threat, Researh, Knowlege production

The World Food Programme (WFP) issued a statement titled "Humanitarian Emergency: Funding Shortfall Jeopardizes WFP Food Assistance for Millions in the Central Sahel and Nigeria" on March 7, 2025. The article emphasizes that, without urgent funding, WFP will be forced to suspend its essential food and nutrition assistance in critical regions such as the Central Sahel and Nigeria as early as April 2025. This comes as the lean season, a time when food insecurity is at its peak, approaches. This suspension will affect approximately 2 million people, including Sudanese refugees in Chad, Malian refugees in Mauritania, as well as internally displaced populations and vulnerable families in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. To maintain its assistance over the next six months, WFP urgently requires $620 million. Margot van der Velden, WFP Regional Director for West and Central Africa, expressed concern about the reduction in international aid, calling on the global community to step up its support to prevent a worsening of the food crisis in these regions.

Governance, Food security, Cooperation, Politique publique