Thanks much

12. Niger has its own dynamics hard to understand for Europeans who had hoped for Western style democracy. But with the main migration route passing through the Sahel country Europe will be affected wherever happens in Niger.

11. flew to Maradi from Niamey with on yet another UN flight. The UN gets criticized for being inefficient but Sahel countries would struggle without. Not only the aid but services such as the UN being the only reliable domestic airline service for anyone, not just the UN

10. The ousted President Bazoum ( who is unfor still held by the military government as prisoner) had started a debate on the risks of strong population growth - a subject where he let stiff resistance from the conservative society, especially outside the capital

9. I asked seminar participants (experts, civil society and women’s rep, local officials) whether they see the population growth as burden or opportunity - everyday sees economic opportunities though this is hard to understand as Nigeria is at bottom of poverty indices

8. Another rather population growth detail. While on 1990 some 35 people lived on one kilometer in Maradi in 2050 it will be more than 200. By 2050 the Maradi population will have tripled compared to 2012. Keep in mind that Niger is one of the world’s poorest countries.

7.We did a small seminar in Maradi on population growth in Niger, where woman per around seven children. Maradi is even more population. The fertility rate here is 7.6. Almost 50 percent of the population in Mardi is 15 years or younger ..

6. Supermarkets in Niamey are full of Nigerian stuff I remember from my time in Lagos for Reuters such as my favorite milk shake. Everything goes through Maradi at the border, which really feels like a Nigerian city like Kano or Maiduguri. Very packed and mosques not Sahel style

5. Inflation is biting. With the Bénin border is still closed and insecurity hampering the Burkina route most imports come from Nigeria. I was surprised to drink this time Lagos-brewed Heineken rather Castel or Beaufort coming from Togo

4. Oil output running and Malian trucks come to Zinder to buy fuel from the Chinese-made refinery. But there is a row between Niger and China over export levels. It’s an old conflict in Africa where China is often the only investor but gets accused of benefiting from resources

3. There have been reports of salary delays of public servants. Hotels are rather empty. Some European development agencies have resumed work but much less than before. Only Italy worried about migration has fully restored ties and even resumed military training.

2. One reason deterring travelers is that Niger has some of the toughest immigration rules. Upon arriving all foreigners except Mali and Burkina Faso have their passports taken, to be collected at security HQ. I got mine back the next day since they know me, others wait 2-3 days

1. The Asky flight to and from Niamey was half empty. It was always full before. The security situation has worsened recently in some parts of Niger, with kidnappings of foreigners. I spoke about it yesterday on India’s FirstPost www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmCz...

12. The Turkish drones are meant to replace the French jets to counter any rebel movement - though it will be hard to make up for live surveillance data provided by the French to monitor the vast country.