This is the second Country Strategy and Programme Evaluation (CSPE) conducted by the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (IOE) in the Republic of Niger, covering the period 2011-2020.

The evaluation found that the portfolio performance and results attained in the country, which presents numerous factors of fragility such as climate hazards and conflict, have improved in recent years. For instance, the IFAD-supported programme has helped build resilience among households and communities, while interventions in both rainfed and irrigated crop production have boosted yields and lowered climate-related risks.

A high proportion of budgets was allocated to the infrastructure required to create economic development hubs. However, this reduced the attention and resources available for basic services and infrastructure in areas such as healthcare and drinking water supply. In addition, the projects did  not always fully grasp the different procedures available to provide financial support to enterprises.

For the future, the evaluation recommends completing the transition towards an integrated programme approach and ensuring that programme-supported activities are embedded in regional and community development plans. In addition, a balance should be struck between the efforts surrounding the creation of economic development hubs and interventions to support basic infrastructure and income-generating activities targeting the poorest groups, including women.