Niger’s military government has announced a series of new taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, vehicles, and household appliances to finance its ongoing fight against jihadist groups, officials said Friday.
The Ministry of Economy released a schedule showing a seven percent tax on cigarettes, a 12 percent levy on beer and other alcoholic drinks, a 10 percent tax on refrigerators, and up to five percent on motor vehicles.
The West African nation continues to face persistent attacks from militant groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the western regions, as well as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the southeast.
Since coming to power in a July 2023 coup, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, the junta has struggled to contain the violence. In response, the government established a defense fund, which officials say has amassed hundreds of millions of dollars.
In October, the authorities had already introduced taxes targeting luxury goods. Recently, the defense fund’s head, Brah Reki Moussa, also announced a one-percent deduction on salaries for both public and private sector workers.
According to government estimates, these measures are expected to generate approximately $88 million to support Niger’s security operations.
