The EU has announced a 25m euro ($25m; £21m) grant to help Niger’s armed forces fight terrorism and defend its territorial integrity.
“These funds will help Niger to better protect the civilian population against the growing terrorist threat,” a press release by the EU said.
The money will finance the construction of a training centre for the army’s logistics support.
A military operating base will also be built to reduce the vulnerability of the Nigerien army in the Tillaberi region which borders Burkina Faso and Mali, two countries that have had increasing militant activities.
The EU aid comes few days after French armies minister visited Niger and Ivory Coast where he met the heads of state and discussed regional security challenges.
Niger has become the main partner of France in the Sahel region after Mali pushed the French forces out after nine years of collaboration.
