Niger

In Niger, hot peppers are crucial to Sahelian agriculture and household economics. Farmers cultivate Capsicum annuum and frutescens in irrigated river valleys and gardens—long red cayenne-type chilies and small African bird’s eye–type chilies dominate. Fresh peppers are sold in markets and widely sun-dried, then traded across the Sahel. These piments are ground into powders or smashed with tomato and onion into simple, fiery relishes for millet and sorghum porridges, rice, and meat stews.

Women often control chili drying and retailing, making peppers an important source of income. Imports of processed sauces are modest compared to the extensive use of local dried chilies. Nigerien peppers deliver lean, direct heat that helps stretch simple staple foods and are central to the region’s food security and flavour.