The 10th edition of the "100% Made in Niger" professional fair took place from February 11 to 15, 2026, at the Palais du 29 Juillet in Niamey, focusing on "The creation and visibility of decent and sustainable jobs in the local product processing sector." This specific theme showed the event's commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities within the nation. This event aims to promote locally manufactured products and services and align with Niger's national economic sovereignty policy, a key strategic objective for the country. Mme Rabi Arzika, Commissioner General of the fair, stated that the initiative "s’inscrit dans un souci de redevabilité envers les partenaires, les exposants et l’ensemble des acteurs ayant accompagné le salon depuis sa création." Her remarks emphasized the long-standing commitment and collaborative spirit that has defined the fair since its inception.
Mme Arzika, in her capacity as Commissioner General of the "100% Made in Niger" fair, described the fair as "la plus grande plateforme nationale de promotion des produits et services fabriqués au Niger, contribuant à la valorisation du savoir-faire national, au développement des entreprises locales et à la création d’opportunités d’affaires." This notes the fair's central role in showcasing local expertise and driving entrepreneurial growth. She added that Makera Institute conducted the follow-up and evaluation of the event, noting that "les résultats de cette 10ᵉ édition ont été collectés avec l’appui du ministère du Commerce et de l’Industrie, de la Direction générale de l’Entrepreneuriat et de Makera Institute, chargé du suivi-évaluation de l’évènement." The fair is considered a key tool for economic development, value chain structuring, business formalization, and strengthening the competitiveness of the Nigerien private sector, providing a full platform for national economic advancement.
Fair Notes and Attendance
The 10th "100% Made in Niger" fair drew substantial participation, with 254 companies, cooperatives, and processor groups from all eight regions of Niger and Niamey. This wide geographical representation ensured that products and services from across the country were showcased. These entities utilized nearly 160 exhibition spaces throughout the event, creating a vibrant marketplace for local goods. The fair experienced significant attendance over its five-day duration, observing a peak in visitor numbers on the fourth day, indicating sustained public interest.
Overall, the fair recorded 9,475 visitors across the five days of operation. This impressive turnout demonstrated the growing public engagement with and support for locally produced goods. Data indicated that visitor traffic was notably higher between 5 PM and 7 PM each day, suggesting a preference for evening visits. A total of 168 exhibitors participated, primarily comprising very small, small, and medium-sized enterprises (VSMEs, SMEs). This group of exhibitors also demonstrated a strong representation of women entrepreneurs, noting the fair's role in empowering female-led businesses.
Visitor feedback indicated a high level of satisfaction, with 95% of attendees declaring their visit satisfactory. This overwhelmingly positive response shows the fair's success in meeting visitor expectations. 96% of visitors provided a positive assessment regarding the quality of the products exhibited during the fair, reflecting the high standards and increasing reputation of "Made in Niger" items.
Exhibitor Success and Challenges
The 10th edition of the "100% Made in Niger" fair incorporated capacity-building activities for participants, including training sessions on sales techniques and effective participation in trade fairs. These training initiatives were designed to equip exhibitors with practical skills to maximize their commercial opportunities. An information session with the Directorate General of Taxes was also part of these activities, providing key insights into regulatory compliance and business formalization. Data collected from the event indicated that 87% of exhibitors were able to seize at least one business opportunity, demonstrating a positive impact on commercial engagement and potential growth for these local businesses. Additionally, 73% of participating exhibitors reported establishing serious commercial contacts during the fair, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and market expansion.
However, challenges were also identified among the exhibitors, pointing to areas for future improvement. A significant majority, 95% of stands, lacked visible price displays for their products, which could potentially hinder immediate purchasing decisions and transparency for consumers. More than half of the exhibitors reported a low collection of business contacts, suggesting an area for improvement in networking strategies and lead generation during such events. Product demonstrations by exhibitors were also noted as insufficient, potentially impacting visitor engagement and sales by not fully showcasing the functionality or unique aspects of their offerings. The average declared turnover by exhibitors who provided their sales figures was estimated at 154,747 FCFA, offering a financial snapshot of their performance at the event and providing a benchmark for future editions.
Broader Context and Vision
The "100% Made in Niger" fair, which was created in 2017, marked its launch in the same year, establishing itself as a vital annual event. This event has since become a key platform, aligning with the "Consommer local" policy championed by General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the Republic, since 2024. This national policy actively promotes the consumption of locally manufactured goods and services, reinforcing the fair's mission. The 10th edition of the fair benefited from the patronage of the Minister of Public Service and Employment, showing its national significance and the government's commitment to supporting local industries.
M. Allahi Bizo Ismael, Executive Director of Makera Institute, which was involved in the event's follow-up and evaluation, noted the importance of ongoing development for the fair and its participants. Recommendations for future editions include strengthening regional participation, ensuring a more full representation of products and producers from all parts of Niger. Further suggestions involved increasing the involvement of banks and investors, which is key for providing essential financial support and capital to local enterprises. Additional recommendations focused on developing B2B meetings, fostering direct commercial relationships between businesses, and providing exhibitors with enhanced support in areas such as marketing, packaging, branding, and digitalization to improve their competitiveness and market reach. Mme Bayard Mariama Gamatié affirmed the nation's potential, stating, "Nous n’avons rien à envier aux autres pays. Nous avons les capacités de produire et le Made in Niger inspire aujourd’hui confiance." Her remarks highlight Niger's industrial capacity and its ability to produce goods that are gaining trust both domestically and potentially internationally, reinforcing the long-term vision of the "100% Made in Niger" initiative.