Niger

Since 2021, HiiL has worked in Niger to promote people-centred justice collaborating with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Code Rural, the chefferie traditionnel, justice practitioners, and other stakeholders as part of a five-year programme funded by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Niamey. Following the 2023 coup, we adapted our programming by expanding our network of justice stakeholders, including working more closely with civil society to co-develop justice solutions. This flexible, inclusive approach remains central to our ongoing work.

Our work in Niger aligns with national justice sector priorities and centres around using data to identify the most pressing justice problems, supporting the development of effective dispute resolution mechanisms, and ensuring that people understand their rights and have access to quality justice services. We have supported national collaboration through initiatives such as the Forum on the role of Traditional Leaders in the Justice System, bringing together representatives from the Ministries of Justice Interior and Land, as well as a large representation of Customary Leaders, and other influential stakeholders. In 2025, the Ministry of Justice in Niger launched a jointly developed strategy for justice transformation, following a series of multi-stakeholder dialogues led by HiiL.

Understanding justice needs

Our Justice Needs and Satisfaction Survey in Niger shows that 56% of the population experiences serious justice problems, particularly related to (petty) crime, land, neighbours, family issues, and domestic violence. Land disputes alone affect nearly a quarter of the population annually, disproportionately impacting rural communities where over 80% of Nigeriens live. In 2024, we conducted additional work with LASDEL and Adham Juris Consult to better understand the justice journeys of Nigerien women, and their ability to resolve problems fairly and on time. This mixed-methods approach provided a deeper look into structural barriers and offered critical insight into how justice institutions—formal and informal—function in practice.

Key highlights

Improving land dispute resolution and strengthening the capacity of customary leaders:

Our manual, rooted in best practices from both global research and local experience, offers practical tools for communication, mediation, de-escalation, and conflict resolution. It serves not only traditional authorities but also social workers, lawyers, religious leaders, and other practitioners, helping to professionalise and harmonise justice delivery.

Supporting CSOs:

a civil society accelerator programme helped three Nigerien CSOs improve their service delivery and secure sustainable funding. Early results point to tangible impact: in Dogondoutchi, the number of land disputes reportedly dropped from over 150 to just 25 per year after implementing the guideline.

Rigorous data collection to understand justice needs:

National surveys and data collection shape strategies and ensure they address people’s real justice needs.

Building trust by dialogue:

Guided by priorities identified in our national surveys, dialogues such as the Justice Forum in Niamey are part of an ongoing process to align priorities, build trust, and drive joint action. They help translate strategy into real change on the ground, strengthen collaboration between formal and traditional systems, and deliver solutions adapted to the real needs of Nigerien people.