Infant, child and maternal mortality are among the highest in the world, and adult life expectancy is only 46 years. Moreover, the country s development challenges are formidable. Arable land is very limited and agro-climatic conditions are very tenuous. The education system is over-crowded and of poor quality, and health care services are less accessible and less effective due to budget cuts and a dysfunctional public sector. Niger s democratization process has been impaired by ethnic conflict and weak civil society.
Unemployment is already high and the formal economy is weak.
Despite these problems, there are opportunities for ADF to foster development. Micro enterprises are expanding and the NGO sector is emerging. Since beginning operations in Niger in 1984, ADF has funded 38 projects. It has given particular attention to promoting community-based initiatives aimed at alleviating rural poverty. Assistance was traditionally focused on agricultural production and livestock projects.