Pray for Niger

Amid the sand dunes of Africa’s Sahel region, communities in Niger move at a slow rhythm. Daily routines revolve around the sunrise and sunset to escape the intense afternoon heat. Beneath the shade of trees, generations of families and neighbors gather to drink tea, talk, and support one another through harvests and hardships. Yet, this peaceful village life stands in stark contrast to the country’s political instability. Since gaining independence in 1960, Niger has suffered repeated military coups. Though it celebrated its first peaceful democratic transfer of power in 2021, a coup in 2023 has once again plunged the nation into political uncertainty and armed conflict. Economically, despite possessing some of the world’s richest uranium deposits, Niger relies heavily on agriculture and livestock, with hopes for future growth resting on gold and expanding oil production.

Armed extremist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State launch deadly attacks against both the military and civilians. At the same time, criminal networks and bandits from neighboring Nigeria terrorize the southern regions of Maradi and Dosso with violent raids and kidnappings. Droughts and erratic rainfall repeatedly devastate agriculture, leaving millions vulnerable to hunger and poverty. Combined with political instability and armed conflict, these hardships fuel exploitation. Traditional slavery is still practiced in isolated areas, and human trafficking remains rampant. Children are forced onto the streets or into dangerous gold mines or sexual exploitation. Women and girls are regularly trafficked across borders for forced labor and domestic servitude.

In Niger, less than two percent of the population identifies as Christian, while ninety-four percent are Muslim, and ninety-eight percent of the population belongs to unreached ethnic groups. Any Christians living in areas dominated by extremist groups are heavily targeted, forcing believers — especially converts from Islam — to worship in secret under the constant threat of violence, abduction, and death. Massive cultural pressure to maintain the Islamic faith continues to hinder traditional outreach efforts across the country. Despite these immense dangers, evangelical Christianity is slowly growing through humanitarian efforts such as well-digging, agricultural development, and education. Furthermore, brave indigenous pastors, many of whom have converted to Christianity from Islam themselves, are courageously stepping up to lead local churches and share their faith.