NIAMEY – A significant stride has been made in Niger’s public administration reform. The Consultative Council for Refoundation (CCR), convening for its first ordinary session of 2026, dedicated extensive discussions to the ongoing transformations in state human resource management. During this pivotal meeting, Aïssatou Abdoulaye Tondi, the Minister of Public Service, Labor, and Employment, provided a comprehensive update on the key reforms spearheaded by her ministry.
Under the chairmanship of Dr. Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, presentations to the Council members focused on initiatives designed to enhance the efficiency, fairness, and responsiveness of Niger’s administration, aligning it with the demanding objectives of the Refoundation.
A holistic overhaul of public administration
During the deliberations, the Minister detailed the comprehensive measures being undertaken to restructure the state’s employee management system. These reforms encompass the harmonization of the public service, optimization of human resource management, modernization of administrative services, and the development of national policies pertaining to labor and employment.
These strategic directions underscore the government’s commitment to building an administration capable of more effectively meeting citizen expectations while ensuring robust human resource governance.
Digital transformation at the core
A central pillar of this reform is the digitalization of administrative processes. The Minister highlighted the significant progress made in implementing the Integrated State Human Resources and Payroll Management System (SIGRHEP), a crucial tool designed to centralize and secure the administrative management of public sector employees.
Initial results demonstrate substantial advancement. To date, over 16,500 employee files have been successfully digitized, with an additional 23,000 dossiers already updated. Concurrently, several specialized business applications have been developed to bolster the efficiency of administrative services.
Ultimately, SIGRHEP is projected to manage the integrated human resources and payroll for nearly 200,000 public agents. The system will also support the work of at least 150 human resource and payroll managers stationed across the national territory.
Statutory reforms and performance tools
Beyond the digital initiatives, the Ministry outlined the achievements of several institutional reforms launched in recent months. Key advancements include the adoption of new legal frameworks governing the general status of public service, the introduction of individual performance evaluation tools, and the implementation of a strategy for redeploying state agents to areas affected by post-crisis situations.
The ministerial department has also continued to organize professional examinations, direct recruitments, and the administrative career monitoring for thousands of civil servants.
The council examines reform challenges
The various presentations sparked lively discussions between members of the Consultative Council for Refoundation and government representatives. Debates primarily addressed the challenges inherent in administrative modernization, human resource management, and enhancing employment policies.
Following this productive working session, the Council members unanimously adopted a motion commending the government officials who presented the progress of these reforms.
Through these ongoing endeavors, Nigerien authorities aim to leverage administrative modernization as a crucial catalyst for elevating the quality of public service, strengthening state effectiveness, and achieving the overarching objectives set forth by the Refoundation.
