Biggest Cities In Niger

Niamey, the capital of Niger, is also the country’s socioeconomic center, and the only city in the country with 1 million+ people. Niger is situated in western Africa and borders Nigeria, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Libya, and Algeria. Niger’s cities have been on an upward trajectory regarding growth, a reflection of the country’s overall development.

The Four Biggest Cities In Niger

Niamey

With 1,302, 910 inhabitants, Niamey is the largest city in Niger. Located on the banks of River Niger, Niamey was the first military base of the French colony. The agriculturally conducive area around Niamey had facilitated the settlement of tribes such as the Maouri before French occupation. Established as the capital of the French Colony in 1926, Niamey was on track for tremendous growth. Much of its significance is derived from its location on the River Niger. The city is an important agricultural, manufacturing, administrative, and cultural center. Most of the inhabitants of the biggest are employed in the service industries, and the city is home to the University of Niamey, National School of Administration, the National Museum, and an international airport. As a third world city, Niamey is not immune to problems associated with rapid urban growth. Planning and infrastructure development in Niamey do not correlate with population growth, and this has caused uncontrolled development in the city. Slums in Niamey are characterized by a lack of adequate social services including sanitation.

Zinder

Zinder is the second largest city in Niger with a population of 256,000. Situated in south-central Niger, Zinder was mainly an important center of the Trans-Saharan trade. The city was a significant Islamic center for the Sultanate of Damagaram and the Sultanate of Bornu before French occupation. Zinder was briefly the capital of the French colony (1922-1926) due to its relative stability from Niamey. The city is especially significant for peanut production and processing and a thermoelectric power plant. The city has an airport and roads and is subsequently a transport center. The major problem in Zinder city is perennial water shortages, which has constantly affected its growing population.

Maradi

With 206,414 inhabitants, Maradi is the third largest city in Niger and is the administrative capital of the Maradi region. The city lies on the southern part of the Nigeria border. Originally a Hausa state, the city was subsequently occupied by the French and developed into an important commercial center starting the 1950s.

Maradi is home to a rapidly growing economy, and its fertile lands support the cultivation of produce such as peanuts, groundnuts, cassava, sorghum and millet. Various factories such as mattress and cooking oil production and leather tanning employ Maradi’s population. The city is dominated by the Hausa and is an important center for Hausa culture.

Tahoua

Tahoua is home to 123,000 inhabitants and is the administrative capital of the Tahoua region. The city serves as a merchant center for the surrounding agricultural regions. Culturally, the city is the meeting center for the Tuareg and Fulani ethnic groups. The city is also significant for the mining of gypsum and phosphates and has the Tahoua Airport.

Other Biggest Cities In Niger

Other cities in Niger and their respective populations are: Agadez (118,244); Arlit (112,432); Dosso (91,488); Dogondoutchi (79,389); Birni-N’Konni (57,000) and Tessaoua (43,409). Niger has one of the world’s fastest growing populations, fueled by high fertility rates. The country is projected to have a population of over 50 million by 2050, with much of the growth being experienced in its cities.