Niger’s historic city of Zinder played host to the 11th edition of the Niger Communes Day, with the theme “Local Governance in the Context of the Refoundation of the Republic,” drawing leaders and stakeholders from across the country and the Sahel region for a three-day forum focused on decentralisation and municipal resilience.
The event was officially opened by Major General Mohamed Toumba, Minister of State for the Interior, Public Security, and Territorial Administration, at the André Salifou Amphitheatre.
In his keynote address, General Toumba described Zinder as “a legendary city, a land of resistance to domination,” and underscored its symbolic role in the nation’s political transformation.
“This annual gathering stands as a true barometer of our commitment to effective and responsible decentralisation,” he said, applauding the consistency of the event since its inception.
He further highlighted the significance of the newly released General Report on Nigerien Communes, describing it as a milestone in the evolution of local governance.
However, Toumba also acknowledged the serious structural issues plaguing local administration, including poor tax revenue mobilisation, fraudulent tax documentation, and irregularities in local consultative bodies.
To address these, he announced a series of reforms, including the introduction of tamper-proof tax books, stronger oversight mechanisms, and advisory and compliance support units across all regions.
Colonel Massallatchi Mahaman Sani, Governor of Zinder, hailed the event as a “historic moment in the service of reconstruction,” urging delegates to offer actionable proposals for municipal development.
Meanwhile, Colonel Soumana Garanké, President of the Association of Municipalities of Niger (AMN), paid tribute to fallen national heroes and appealed for greater state support in training, financing, digital transformation, and local planning.
Beyond institutional discussions, the event also featured a forum on local production and food sovereignty, encouraging citizens to embrace domestic consumption and promote community-based agriculture and crafts.
The international dimension of the event was marked by the participation of municipal representatives from Burkina Faso and Mali.
Speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Konate Maurice praised the forum and reaffirmed the bloc’s joint commitment to making local communities the bedrock of sustainable development across the region.
The opening ceremony concluded with a tour of exhibition stands showcasing local innovation and municipal achievements, attended by an array of high-level officials, including the Sultan of Zinder, eight regional governors, municipal leaders, and representatives of development partners.
The 11th Niger Communes Day continues until June 25, offering a rare platform for collaborative governance and community-driven reform in a period of national transition.
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