NIAMEY, July 28, 2026 – A significant stride has been made in Niger’s ongoing public administration reform. During its inaugural ordinary session of 2026, the Advisory Council for Refoundation (CCR) dedicated extensive discussions to the transformative initiatives impacting state human resource management. Aïssatou Abdoulaye Tondi, the Minister of Public Service, Labor, and Employment, provided a comprehensive update on the key reforms spearheaded by her ministry.

The presentations, delivered to Council members under the distinguished chairmanship of Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, focused on strategic projects designed to cultivate a more effective, equitable, and responsive Nigerien administration, aligning with the principles of the Refoundation.

A comprehensive overhaul of Niger’s public sector

During the engaging discussions, the Minister elaborated on the extensive measures undertaken to reconfigure the state’s employee management framework. These reforms encompass crucial areas such as the standardization of public service regulations, the enhancement of human resource management practices, the modernization of administrative services, and the refinement of national labor and employment policies.

These strategic directives underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to establishing an administrative apparatus capable of more effectively addressing citizen expectations while simultaneously ensuring superior human resource governance across Niger.

Digitalization: a cornerstone of transformation

A pivotal element of this comprehensive reform centers on the digitalization of public administration. The Minister highlighted the substantial progress achieved in deploying the Integrated System for State Human Resources and Payroll Management (SIGRHEP). This innovative tool is poised to centralize and enhance the security of administrative processes for public sector employees.

Initial outcomes clearly demonstrate significant advancement. To date, over 16,500 employee files have been successfully digitized, with an additional 23,000 records undergoing thorough updates. Concurrently, several specialized business applications have been developed to further bolster the efficiency of administrative services.

Ultimately, SIGRHEP is projected to provide integrated human resource and payroll management for approximately 200,000 public agents. The system will also empower and support the work of at least 150 human resource and payroll managers operating across the entire national territory of Niger.

Statutory reforms and performance enhancement tools

Beyond the digital transformation initiatives, the ministry also provided an overview of several institutional reforms implemented in recent months. Key achievements include the approval of new legislative texts governing the general status of the public service, the introduction of robust individual performance evaluation tools, and the strategic deployment of state agents to areas impacted by post-crisis situations.

The ministerial department has also diligently continued its efforts in organizing professional recruitment examinations, facilitating direct hiring processes, and ensuring meticulous administrative oversight of thousands of civil servants’ careers.

The Council scrutinizes reform challenges

The various presentations prompted lively discussions among the members of the Advisory Council for Refoundation and government representatives. Debates primarily centered on the inherent challenges associated with modernizing the administration, optimizing human resource management, and refining employment policies.

Following this productive working session, the Council members unanimously passed a motion of commendation, expressing their appreciation for the government officials who presented the progress of these vital reforms.

Through these multifaceted initiatives, Nigerien authorities are firmly committed to leveraging administrative modernization as a crucial catalyst for elevating the quality of public services, bolstering state efficiency, and effectively achieving the overarching objectives outlined within the framework of the Refoundation.