Sept 28 (Reuters) - Campaigning began late on Sunday for Niger's Oct. 20 parliamentary election, with President Mamadou Tandja calling on his country to give him the power to complete infrastructure projects in the uranium-exporting desert state. Here are some details about Niger and its economy: ECONOMY: Niger is one of the world's leading producers of uranium. It produces around 7.5 percent of the world's uranium, according to the World Nuclear Association. -- As the cost of oil and fears over global warming have rekindled interest in nuclear energy, Niger has handed out over 130 prospecting licenses, most of which have been for uranium. -- But just 10 percent of these are currently active as the political uncertainty comes on top of a two-year revolt led by Tuareg nomads calling for greater autonomy for the north, and a larger slice of the revenues from natural resources. -- Last April China granted Niger a $95 million preferential loan to boost a uranium mining project the two countries have. Niger is a 33 percent joint venture partner with the China National Uranium Corporation (SINO-U) in the SOMINA uranium mining operation, due to come on line by 2010, with an annual output of about 700 tonnes. -- However despite its mineral riches, including iron ore, silver, platinum and titanium, Niger was still rated nearly bottom of the most recent U.N. Human Development Index coming 174th out of 179 nations ranked by quality of life. -- The Economist Intelligence Unit has forecast real GDP growth of 3.2 percent in 2009 and 4.8 percent in 2010, underpinned by higher mining output and major investment projects in mining, oil, and infrastructure. COUNTRY DETAILS: POPULATION: 15.3 million (2009 estimate) CAPITAL: Niamey LANGUAGE: French is the official language, but several local languages are also spoken. ETHNICITY: Niger's herding peoples vary in ethnic origins from Berber Tuareg to Fulani, including the Tibu. The south is dominated by the Hausa, Djerma, Songhai and Kamuri. RELIGION: Islam, though traditional African religions and a Christian minority are also present in the south. GEOGRAPHY: Two-thirds desert, its only fertile area is along the banks of the Niger River. Sources: Reuters/United Nations/Economist:
Women are evacuated from the camp of Islamic community Darul Islam in Moka August 15, 2009. Police in the western Nigerian state of Niger have raided the community and detained hundreds ...
