Niger’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Abdoulaye Saydou, embarked on a series of official visits to institutions under his ministry on Monday, aiming to assess their working conditions and identify ways to bolster their operational capacity.
The tour began at the Niger Industrial Restructuring and Upgrading Office (BRMN), a public administrative body established in 2011 to enhance national business performance through industrial competitiveness programs.
The minister inspected facilities and engaged with staff to understand ongoing initiatives for improving product standards and export readiness.
He then visited the General Directorate of Youth Entrepreneurship, where he met with a large group of young people currently undergoing training on the national entrepreneurship promotion strategy.
Addressing them directly, Minister Saydou offered guidance and encouragement, underlining the crucial role of youth in economic transformation.
Next, the delegation was received by the staff of the National Agency for Industrial Property and the Promotion of Innovation (AN2PI).
The interim Director General presented an overview of the agency’s mission to manage industrial property and promote innovation across Niger.
The minister toured various departments, expressing keen interest in the agency’s role in safeguarding and commercialising local innovations.
The final leg of the minister’s visit took him to the Niger Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Certification (ANMC), where he was briefed on quality assurance mechanisms.
He visited the Quality Control Laboratory, the Physicochemistry Laboratory, and the Documentation and Normative Information Center.
Discussions with staff highlighted challenges, including limited collaboration from companies and institutions, which hinder ANMC’s regulatory functions.
“The purpose of this visit is to inquire about the living and working conditions and also to encourage these entities in the accomplishment of their mission,” Minister Saydou stated.
“The resources at our disposal are limited, which is why we are here today to encourage these structures in their approach.”
He urged agencies to be proactive and not wait for direct instructions, especially regarding youth entrepreneurship, product protection, and consumer safety.
He also pledged to support efforts in enhancing regulatory oversight, particularly in response to public demand for stricter product control.
“We will ensure that we give them our full support,” he affirmed, acknowledging the critical role of institutions like the ANMC in protecting national economic sovereignty.
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