The provisional findings from Niger’s Court of Accounts have ignited a fierce public debate and left the future of the state-owned water supplier, Nigérienne des Eaux (NDE), hanging in the balance. With revelations of bacterial contamination, supply shortages of treatment products, suspected corruption in tender awards, and managerial favouritism, the report has triggered calls for accountability and urgent reform. As the fallout unfolds, questions mount over how the utility will restore trust and ensure safe drinking water for millions.
Outrage and demands for answers after damning audit
Across Niger, citizens and civil society groups are reacting with alarm to the Court of Accounts’ provisional report on NDE’s management for 2023 and 2024. The audit, coupled with recent public procurement controversies, paints a troubling picture of a national operator struggling to fulfil its core mission. In a region where water security is already precarious, the revelations have struck a nerve, prompting widespread calls for transparency and swift action.
Public health alarm: contamination levels far exceed safety limits
Bacteriological tests conducted in several regional centres have uncovered bacterial loads that dwarf World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. While the international standard demands zero colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 ml, the samples revealed alarming contamination:
- Doutchi: 50,100 CFU / 100 ml
- Maradi: 30,200 CFU / 100 ml
- Filingué: 17,120 CFU / 100 ml
The root causes are manifold: an ageing distribution network spanning 6,957 kilometres, plagued by 20,000 to 40,000 leaks annually. These ruptures allow wastewater infiltration and pressure drops, while erratic chlorine dosing—underdosing in Tillabéri and Dosso, overdosing in Niamey—further compromises disinfection. Recurrent stockouts of treatment chemicals, notably calcium hypochlorite, and the use of expired reagents in testing labs have left the utility unable to certify the potability of its water.
Financial haemorrhage: lost water and failed contracts
Financially, the utility is bleeding. Non-revenue water is estimated at 17.9 million cubic metres per year, translating to a direct loss of about 5.3 billion CFA francs for state coffers. Two key public contracts have also gone awry:
- Network equipment tender (DAO No. 001/2025): Awarded in late 2025 to Nascom for 950 million CFA francs (incl. tax), the main lot for connection equipment is severely delayed. Despite an advance payment of around 250 million CFA francs, the goods remain stuck with the manufacturer in Tunisia, freezing new customer connections.
- Treatment product renewal (DAO No. 009/2026): An open tender launched in September 2026 by NDE’s general management for the urgent supply of calcium hypochlorite highlights the critical need to secure water plants.
Internal governance under fire
The report also exposes weak internal controls and human resource mismanagement. Unilateral spending decisions, accelerated promotions that bypass seniority grids, and the absence of certified training programmes for network technicians are eroding the utility’s technical expertise. As the adversarial phase of the audit continues and parties exercise their right of reply, these findings underscore the urgent need for deep structural reforms at NDE to guarantee service continuity and public health safety.