Niger to Create 11 New Regions and 19 Departments

Niger's authorities have unveiled a project for the administrative reorganization of the country, which includes the creation of 11 new regions and 19 departments, ActuNiger reports, citing the Director General for Territorial Administration at the Ministry of Interior, Hamou Abdoulkadri.

According to Abdoulkadri, the reform will allow for a stronger government presence in border and remote areas, improve the performance of security services, and stimulate local development.

The project also provides for the establishment of 15 new regional capitals. The new regions are to be formed in the areas of Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéri, Zinder, and Niamey.

The final decision on the new administrative division will be made by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) and the government of Niger.