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There are 184,284 migrants from Niger in Libya. Niger is the mostrepresented nationality in Libya —a quarter of migrants are Nigerien. The majority of Nigerien migrants surveyed by DTM Libya in 2023 and 2024 were employed, single, male, less than 30 years old and had not completed a primary level of education. A minority held a work permit (3%). Niger is not only a country of destination and origin, but also a country of transit for migrants from Western Africa, including those travelling north towards Libya (and Algeria). Around two fifths of migrants (41%) interviewed in 2023 and 2024 came from, or had transited through Niger on their way to Libya.
RECENT MIGRATION DYNAMICS
The overall number of migrants in Libya, including those from Niger, has increased between 2020 and 2024 after having declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the coup d’état in July 2023, Niger’s borders were momentarily and partially closed but since Niger revoked the 2015 law that criminalised migrant smuggling, DTM Niger and DTM Libya have observed a general rise in migration flows between Niger and Libya. This increase is likely related to migrants now traveling by organised convoys from Niger on new routes.