About IWGIAIndigenous peoples in Niger
Niger’s indigenous populations are the Peul, Tuareg and Toubou. These peoples are all transhumant pastoralists. Niger’s total 2009 population was estimated at 14,693,110.
8.5% of the population are Peul, i.e. 1,248,914 individuals. They are mostly cattle and sheep herders but some of them have converted to agriculture because they lost their livestock during the droughts. They live in all regions of the country. The Peul can be further sub-divided into a number of groups, namely the Tolèbé, Gorgabé, Djelgobé and Bororo.
8.3% of the population are Tuareg, i.e. 1,219,528 individuals. They are camel and goat herders. They live in the north (Agadez and Tahoua) and west (Tillabery) of the country.
1.5% of the population are Toubou, i.e. 220,397 individuals. They are camel herders and live in the east of the country: Tesker (Zinder), N’guigmi (Diffa) and along the border with Libya (Bilma).
Pastoralism remains the only development sector not governed by any legislation. Although a Pastoral Code has been under consideration for 11 years, it has remained blocked by certain powerful individuals such as MPs and ministers who have an interest in buying pastureland for farming or other private purposes.
Download the 2010 yearbook article on indigenous peoples in Niger to read more about major developments and events during 2009
