Niger to Construct New Customs Headquarters in Niamey

Oluwasegun SanusiFebruary 4, 20252 Mins read32

Niger Authorities on Monday, February 3, 2025, started laying the foundation stone for the future headquarters of the General Directorate of Customs. The new facility, set to be built on the site of the former Sabka Lahiya hotel, will be a modern 10-story (R+10) structure aimed at enhancing the efficiency of customs operations, improving civil servants’ working conditions, and streamlining administrative procedures for users.

The state-of-the-art building will cover a plot of 8,715 m² and feature 151 offices, 10 meeting rooms, a 280-seat conference hall, a 200-space parking lot, and additional outbuildings, including a basement. Construction has been entrusted to Nigerien company Entreprise Générale des Bâtiments et Travaux Publics (EGBTP), with a completion timeline of 15 months.

The event was attended by high-ranking political, administrative, and traditional figures, including Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, members of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), the Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of Finance, and international dignitaries such as Amadou Konaté, Vice-President of the World Customs Organisation for the West and Central African region.

Colonel Abou Oubandawaki, Director General of Customs, emphasised the strategic importance of the project, calling it a “promise kept” by the President of the CNSP, Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tiani.

He acknowledged the difficulties faced by customs services after the demolition of the old headquarters, which forced operations to be scattered across multiple sites, complicating procedures for employees and users.

These inconveniences, as you can imagine, have caused enormous harm to the image of customs, which is above all a public service at the service of the public. With the construction of this modern 10-storey building, which will bring together all the services in a single location, he believes that these constraints will soon be a thing of the past: “In a few months, these inconveniences will be nothing more than bad memories.

He also highlighted the government’s deliberate choice of EGBTP, a national contractor, reflecting Niger’s policy of promoting local expertise and economic development. However, he also stressed the responsibility placed on the company to ensure quality execution and timely project delivery.

Speaking at the ceremony, Amadou Konaté, who also serves as Director General of Mali Customs, conveyed the fraternal greetings of Malian Transition President, Army General Assimi Goïta, to his Nigerien counterpart. He described the project as a significant step in strengthening the ties between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso under the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS) Confederation.

He outlined three key objectives of the initiative as enhancing cooperation between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso’s customs administrations. To improve border management and invest in new technologies. While also building resilience and solidarity in the face of security and economic challenges.

Drawing from Mali’s experience in inaugurating a new customs headquarters in 2022, he reiterated the importance of modern infrastructure in reinforcing sovereignty and efficiency.

This new building will offer optimal working conditions that will facilitate the exercise of sovereign missions with efficiency and professionalism.

The construction of this headquarters aligns with President Abdourahamane Tiani’s vision of a modernised public administration. It is expected to streamline customs operations, improve service delivery, and reinforce Niger’s economic resilience. Colonel Oubandawaki called on customs officials to embrace professionalism and dedication, viewing the new building as an opportunity to enhance their role in national development.