Niger bans groundnut exports to support industry
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Journal du Niger
Niger’s Trade and Industry Minister, Abdoulaye Seydou, announced a nationwide ban on groundnut exports, except for exceptional authorisation to AES countries. The measure, under Order No. 05-18 of 11 November 2026, aims to reserve more seeds for local processors and develop oil production, according to the minister.
The ban on groundnut exports in Niger stems from Order No. 05-18 signed on 11 November 2026, Trade and Industry Minister Abdoulaye Seydou announced on Friday 13 November. Exceptional authorisations may allow exports to the other AES countries, an alliance of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The government wants to reserve more seeds for Nigerien companies producing edible oil, in order to develop local processing and reduce imports of the commodity. Abdoulaye Seydou believes Niger has sufficient raw materials to produce quality oil, but imports limit the outlets for local processors.
The measure should also support operators already active in oil production and encourage new investment, according to the minister. It is part of the third pillar of the refoundation programme, dedicated to strengthening national production capacity.
The groundnut ban joins restrictions already applied to millet, milled rice, paddy rice and sorghum to preserve domestic supply and encourage consumption of locally produced goods, according to Nigerien authorities.
