Only 56% of Niger's population has access to a source of drinking water.
The Nigerien government has nationalised the operation of its drinking water, ending its contract with the French Veolia Group, through its subsidiary Société d'Exploitation des Eaux du Niger (SEEN), which had the contract for more than 22 years. Veolia’s contract expired on December 31.
This decision follows the establishment of a new state-owned company called La Nigérienne des Eaux, which will take over the operation, production and distribution of drinking water in the cities and towns and semi-urban areas.
Access to drinking water and sanitation is very low, and there are large disparities between urban and rural areas and between regions. Only 56% of the population has access to a source of drinking water.