The City of Niamey will ban the use of plastic bags by supermarkets, with enforcement beginning January 1, 2027. The City of Niamey intends to crack down on the use of plastic bags by supermarkets starting on this date. Supermarkets operating in the city have been given a compliance deadline until December 31, 2026, to transition away from plastic bags. This measure aims to curb plastic pollution within the urban environment.
Scope of the Ban
An arrêté from the Administrator Delegate of the City of Niamey, issued on June 1, 2026, prohibits the production, importation, commercialization, use, and storage of 'flexible low-density plastic bags and packaging' in Niamey supermarkets. The measure specifically targets flexible low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags and packaging with a thickness less than 15 microns, which are classified as non-biodegradable and non-oxo-degradable. The measure targets flexible low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags and packaging, with a thickness less than 15 microns, that are non-biodegradable and non-oxo-degradable.
However, the ban does not affect bags and packaging certified as biodegradable or oxo-degradable. Bags and packaging certified biodegradable or oxo-degradable, or certified compliant by competent services for medium or high-density plastic, are not affected by the prohibition. Additionally, items certified compliant by competent services for medium or high-density plastic are also exempt from the prohibition. Plastic bags and packaging thicker than 15 microns, intended for industrial, agricultural, or sanitary use, along with those possessing special authorization, are similarly excluded from the ban.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Individuals found producing, importing, transporting, commercializing, or storing non-compliant plastic bags and packaging in Niamey face imprisonment ranging from six months to one year, alongside a fine of 500,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA. Contraveners face imprisonment from six (6) months to one (1) year and a fine of 500,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA for production, importation, transport, commercialization, and storage of these prohibited items. Professional users of these materials are subject to imprisonment from three to six months and a fine between 100,000 and 1,000,000 FCFA. Professional users face imprisonment from three (3) to six (6) months and a fine of 100,000 to 1,000,000 FCFA for their use. For domestic use, a fine of 100 FCFA per unit is stipulated for non-compliant items. The regulations also foresee the seizure and confiscation of non-compliant bags and packaging, as well as the means used for their transport.
Legal Framework and Context
The prohibition aligns with Law n°2014-63, enacted on November 5, 2014. The prohibition is in accordance with Law n°2014-63 of November 5, 2014. Niger's National Assembly passed the 2014 law, which specifically addresses the importation and commercialization of plastic bags. A law concerning the importation and commercialization of plastic bags was passed by the National Assembly in 2014. The justification for this legislation was a stated concern to preserve the environment, as used plastic bags are identified as a significant source of pollution within Niger. The 2014 law was justified by a concern to preserve the environment, as used plastic bags are cited as a major source of pollution in Niger. However, no decree of application for the 2014 law has been signed to date. This legal background is further elaborated by a decree dated June 25, 2015, issued by the ministry responsible for environmental matters. This is further explained by a decree dated June 25, 2015, from the ministry in charge of the environment.
Transition and Alternatives
Supermarket promoters holding inventories of flexible low-density plastic bags are mandated to gradually halt new acquisitions, importations, or orders of the prohibited items. Supermarket promoters with stocks of flexible low-density plastic bags are required to progressively cease new acquisitions, importations, or orders of prohibited plastic bags. Users of these bags must dispose of or destroy their existing stocks before the December 31, 2026, deadline. Users must dispose of or destroy their existing stocks before December 31, 2026. The city encourages the adoption of environmentally friendly alternatives, including biodegradable bags, paper packaging, or reusable containers. Users are invited to adopt environmentally friendly substitution solutions like biodegradable bags, paper packaging, or reusable containers. Niamey's municipal technical services, in collaboration with supermarket promoters, plan to conduct awareness and information campaigns to facilitate this transition. The city announces awareness and information campaigns conducted by Niamey's municipal technical services in partnership with supermarket promoters. Supermarkets in the city are granted a deadline until December 31, 2026, to comply.