Maradi Region

Maradi Region is Niger's most densely populated territory and its commercial engine—the Grand-marché at its center hosts wholesale, retail, and agricultural trade connecting south-central Niger to Nigeria across a 1,600-kilometer border. The region borders Nigerian states of Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto, and cross-border trade has shaped the economy for generations. Groundnut processing emerged as a cornerstone after 1950, with the Siconiger oil mill scaling from 900 metric tons to 13,000 by 1971-1972. Textiles and leather tanning employ hundreds seasonally in traditional workshops. Border reopening in 2024 restored some normality after the 2023 coup's disruptions, and Nigeria secured $1.3 billion to complete a Kano-to-Maradi railway that promises to deepen economic integration. Yet challenges persist: armed group activity in Nigeria's Sokoto and Zamfara states caused cross-border displacement to Maradi in early 2024, with 1,420 people fleeing in a single March 2024 incident. The region's population of 3.1+ million depends on rain-fed agriculture and Nigeria trade—both vulnerable to border closures and climate shocks. By 2026, Maradi's trajectory depends on whether the Kano railway project advances, whether cross-border security improves, and whether groundnut and leather industries can compete with Nigerian imports.