Tag Archive for: expats in africa

Facts to assist you while travelling to Niger.

 

Niger population

  • 2 million people.

Capital and Largest City

  • Niamey.

Official Language(s)

  • French.

Currency

  • West African CFA franc.

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 12:30 and 14:30 to 17:00.

Weekend

  • Saturday – Sunday.

Time Zone

  • UTC +1.

Calling Code

  • +227.

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

Government

  • Mohamed Bazoum is a Nigerien politician who served as the 10th president of Niger from 2021 to 2023.

Climate

  • Niger’s subtropical climate is mainly very hot and very dry, with much desert area. In the extreme south there is a tropical climate on the edges of the Niger River basin. The terrain is predominantly desert plains and sand dunes, with flat to rolling savanna in the south and hills in the north.

Transport

  • Niger’s main airport is the Diori Hamani International Airport, located in Niamey. The Niger River is unsuitable for large-scale river transport, as it lacks depth for most of the year and is broken by rapids at many spots. Only a small percentage of Niger’s roads are paved. Nigeriens in both urban and rural areas rely on a combination of motor vehicles and animals for transport of themselves and commercial goods. Niger is a user of the Benin and Togo railway lines which carry goods from seaports to the Niger border.

Economy

  • The main industries in Niger that contributes towards its GDP include mining, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and manufacturing.

Hospitality

  • The most important attribute of the Niger people is their generosity. The people of Niger are known to be friendly, generous, and love goodness for each other. There are good people doing amazing work everywhere, especially in the month of Ramadan, when people will set up many food tables for breakfast of the poor. There is a huge giving culture in Niger. Charitable institutions compete in providing aid to the poor and the rich are interested in looking at those who are less fortunate than them and working to help them in all ways.

Greetings

  • A handshake with the right hand is the most common form of greeting amongst. Handshakes tend to be warm and linger quite a bit. Handshakes are often accompanied by a gesture in which the individuals touch their right hands over their heart. Women, on the other hand, will raise both hands on each side of the face during handshakes with other women. In some areas a kiss on each cheek may accompany the greeting as well. Due to its large Muslim population, people of the opposite sex often do not shake one another’s hands. Instead, a verbal greeting or nod of acknowledgment is the norm in most situations.

Money

  • The currency in Niger is the West African CFA franc. The West African CFA franc is officially recognised by the Nigerien government and can be used to settle all financial obligations in the country.

Transportation

  • Transport infrastructure in Niger is underdeveloped. The main mode of transport in Niger is via automobile, as there is no existing railway network. Fortunately, most roads within and between the major cities are paved, but as you travel towards the more rural areas, unpaved roads and gravel roads become a more frequent sight.

Safety

  • There are a number of risks that expats may face when travelling to Niger as the country experience trouble with petty crimes, violent crimes, and drug smuggling. Poverty in the capital cities perpetuate these cycles of crime, and it is therefore not considered safe to walk around at night. Additionally, there are health risks that are present such as a deficiency in sanitation. This means that the chances of contracting water-borne diseases such as diarrhea and cholera are relatively high. Malaria is another easily contactable disease that possess a threat to the health of Nigerien citizens. It is advisable that you get all necessary vaccinations ahead of time.

Culture

  • Niger strictly adheres to a group of customs and traditions. Visitors should be mindful of this as locals might deem it to be disrespectful to violate or be ignorant of these customs. Islam is the most widespread religion in Niger, where approximately 90% of the population is Muslim. The prevalence of Islam is influential on the country’s customs and traditions. Adherence to the teachings of the Islamic religion is important and necessary in Niger. Locals place emphasis on preserving the teachings of the Islamic religion, establishing religious rituals, exchanging gifts between relatives and friends, kindness to the poor, and providing all their needs throughout the year.

Shops

  • Niger has numerous stores, shopping centres, and malls that are modern like that of those in western countries, especially in its capital city. Therefore, shopping and entertainment should be no hassle. Niger also has online shopping options.

 

 

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Facts to assist you while travelling to Zambia.

 

Zambian population

  • 5 million.

Capital and Largest City

  • Lusaka.

Official Language(s)

  • English.

Currency

  • Zambian kwacha.

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 17:00.

Weekend

  • Saturday – Sunday.

Time Zone

  • UTC +2.

Calling Code

  • +260.

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

Government

  • Hakainde Hichilema is a Zambian businessman, farmer, and politician who is the seventh and current president of Zambia.

Climate

  • The climate of Zambia in Central and Southern Africa is tropical but modified by altitude (elevation). In the Köppen climate classification, most of the country is classified as humid-subtropical or tropical wet and dry, with small patches of semi-arid climate in the south-west. There are two main seasons, the rainy season lasts from November until April and occurs during summer, while the dry season lasts from May until October and occurs during winter.

Transport

  • The main airport in Zambia is the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, located in Lusaka. Zambia has rail links with the DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. Zambia also has many navigable rivers, lakes, and channels through swamps, which together reach a large proportion of the rural population. The country has 88 airports, eight of which have paved runways.

Economy

  • The main industries in Zambia that contributes to its GDP include agriculture, copper mining, manufacturing, fisheries and livestock, energy, electricity, tourism, media, and finance and banking.

Hospitality

  • Zambian’s traditionally serve a local dish called nshima at gatherings and have a standard set of etiquettes revolving around how nshima should be eaten. Nshima with ndiwo is the most important meal in Zambian culture. It holds significance in the traditional culture of the people as it is often shared alongside expressions, tales of hospitality and wisdom and folk tales. It is considered a sign of disrespect to serve left over nshima to an adult, as elders are typically shown more respect in the culture. Be careful not to over-indulge as Zambians believe that leaving some food behind on your plate indicates that you have been satisfied.

Greetings

  • Greetings always start with a handshake and a polite, “How are you?”. This is frequently followed by questions about the wellbeing of your family, or the conditions of your journey.

Money

  • The Kwacha (code: ZMW) is the currency of Zambia. The name kwacha is derived from the Nyanja, Bemba, and Tonga word for “dawn”. Its meaning alludes to the Zambian nationalist slogan of a “new dawn of freedom”. The name ngwee translates as “bright” in the Nyanja language.

Transportation

  • Zambia has over 91 000km of roads divided into trunk roads, main roads, and district roads, which connects rural areas to other trunk and main roads. Most trunk and main roads are paved while district roads can sometimes be partially paved or may even be gravel and dirt. The condition of these roads get worse during the rainy season. All trunk roads are tolled with toll gates being administered by the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) and Road Development Agency (RDA). When travelling to Zambia, it is important that you remember to take this into consideration as you plan your budget.

Safety

  • Although Zambia is one of the safer countries in Africa, visitors are still advised to take whichever precautions they feel necessary. Mostly petty crimes occur, such as bag snatching and theft from parked cars. It is best to always keep your bags and other valuables secure and close to you. When traveling by car, keep the doors locked and the windows up at all times. Valuables should be kept out of sight as thieves may target travelers at transport hubs, crowded market areas and shopping precincts.

Culture

  • Zambian culture traditionally separated the roles of men and women. However, this practice is much less common in recent years, especially in the urban areas. In rural areas, women in are generally assigned the household tasks, children care, and work in the fields. Men are expected to do the fishing, hunting, and livestock management, as well as the family’s financial planning. Christianity is the religion of the majority of Zambians, and this is reflected in the contemporary culture of the citizens. Weddings and other important events are mostly in the traditional Christian style but often incorporates elements of indigenous customs and rituals.

Shops

  • Zambia has a number of modern shopping centres and malls that resemble those found in western countries. Shopping in this country should be hassle free, especially in the capital city and other urban areas. There are also a multitude of online stores for the convenience of all shoppers.

 

 

 

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