The project built on the Foundation’s commitment to the preservation of the addax antelope and more generally to the cohabitation of peoples and the natural environment. It aimed to improve biodiversity conservation with special reference to the addax and to enhance cooperation and implication of the local population in the protection of their environment.
The unique Saharan biodiversity of the border region was retained by involving local communities in monitoring activities. As a result, no poaching of addax was identified throughout the duration of the project. The addax population seemed to maintain itself at 200 individuals and still continued to breed as young fawn and traces of young individuals were observed. The distribution factors of this nearly extinct species were documented, with the addax located in areas of good quality pastures. The local pastoral population directly contributed to and benefited from the preservation of their natural heritage.
The Sahara Conservation Fund was established in 2004. Its mission is to address the extinction crisis facing flora and fauna in the Sahara and Sahel. The addax conservation project in the Termit/Tin Toumma region of the Niger basin is directly related to finding a balance between social development and preservation of wildlife.
The Sahara Conservation Fund (SCF)
Population
24.2 million (2020)
Per Capita Income
USD1,230/year (2020)
Poverty rate *
42% (2021)
Literacy rate
35% (2018)
Human Development Index
189th out of 189 countries
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world. It is prone to political instability and exogenous shocks, notably droughts which cause chronic food insecurity. It has one of the fastest growing populations in the world with a 3.9% yearly growth rate. Over the past twenty years, Niger’s social indicators have improved significantly. Gross primary school enrolment has increased from 40 % in 2003 to 74% in 2017. Secondary school enrolment remains extremely low at 21%, among the three lowest in the world. Although the mortality rate for children under five has decreased, it remains extremely high at 91 per 1,000 in 2016. HIV/AIDS prevalence has remained stable at 0.4%, one of the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sources: World Food Program, UNICEF, World Bank, 2016 Human Development Report, Human Development Indices and Indicators (2018 Statistical Update)
*The percentage of the population living below the national poverty line.