“Never lose sight of the close link between security and development,” insists Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou.
In a conversation with Devex Manager for Membership and Alliances Alexandre Cabaret at European Development Days 2013 in Brussels, Issoufou urged the international community to tackle criminality and terrorism within the Sahel region as a priority in the post-2015 agenda.
Issoufou welcomes the European Union’s decision to maintain financing for priority sectors — including food security, education, health, security, governance and infrastructure — and is encouraged by his country’s dynamic economy, which saw more than 11 percent growth in 2012.
The president also explained how Niger is putting into place legislation to promote and protect public-private partnerships and investments in the country and issues an open invitation: “We invite investors to come: the environment for them is favorable.”
Watch the above video (in French) for more insights gleaned from our conversation.
Devex was at the European Development Days 2013. Check out our coverage of Europe’s leading global development event of the year.
About the author
Richard Jones@richard_devex
In his role as Editorial Director Richard oversees content for digital series, reports and events, leading a talented team of writers and editors, conducting high-level video interviews and moderating panels at events. Previously partnerships editor and an associate editor at Devex, Richard brings to bear 15 years of experience as an editor in institutional communications, public affairs and international development. Based in Barcelona, his development experience includes stints in the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Ecuador, as well as extensive work travel in Africa and Asia.