News

As Niger advances its infrastructure, digital connectivity, and service delivery across urban and rural areas, the demand for high-quality Point of Interest (POI) data is rising rapidly. From mapping schools in Zinder to tracking healthcare centers in Diffa, accurate POI data is essential for public service planning, humanitarian coordination, telecom rollout, and economic development.

But Niger presents a unique challenge: vast geographic distances, low population density in many regions, and informal economies that are often left out of mainstream mapping efforts. In 2025, a handful of data providers are meeting this challenge—with Techsalerator standing out as the leader.

Here’s a breakdown of the top POI data vendors in Niger, with Techsalerator ranked #1.

1. Techsalerator – Niger’s Most Comprehensive POI Data Provider

Why it’s #1:
Techsalerator delivers nationwide, verified, and metadata-rich POI datasets that reflect the true complexity of Niger’s physical and economic landscape. Whether it's capturing urban density in Niamey or locating community health posts in Tahoua, Techsalerator offers precision and context unmatched by other providers.

Key advantages:

• Coverage in All Regions: Includes Niamey, Maradi, Zinder, Agadez, Tillabéri, Dosso, Tahoua, and Diffa—with deep reach into rural villages and off-grid communities.
  
  

• Detailed POI Attributes: Business names, categories (e.g., markets, clinics, schools, telecom sites, fuel stations), GPS coordinates, operating hours, facility type, and contact data.
  
  

• Support for Development & Emergency Use: Ideal for NGOs, UN agencies, telecoms, and ministries of planning or infrastructure.
  
  

• Flexible Integration: Data is accessible via API, CSV, or customized delivery for GIS platforms, dashboards, and mobile applications.
  
  

From local merchants in Maradi to aid distribution centers in Diffa, Techsalerator is the top choice for POI data in Niger, offering unmatched depth, reliability, and geographic reach.

2. OpenStreetMap (OSM)

OpenStreetMap plays a key role in mapping Niger thanks to years of NGO and humanitarian engagement, especially following crises. While OSM has contributed significantly to mapping roads, towns, and certain public facilities, the consistency and depth of POI attributes vary.

Pros:

• Free, open-source, and widely used by humanitarian actors
  
  

• Active local and international volunteer mapping efforts
  
  

Cons:

• Metadata is often incomplete
  
  

• Informal and rural business POIs may be underrepresented
  
  

3. HERE Technologies

HERE Technologies offers high-quality mapping data with strong capabilities in routing and transportation networks. Their POI offerings in Niger tend to be concentrated in Niamey and other major towns, with more limited reach outside of urban corridors.

Pros:

• Solid transportation and road network support
  
  

• Good integration into logistics platforms
  
  

Cons:

• Less granular data in secondary cities and rural areas
  
  

• Primarily geared toward navigation, not public infrastructure
  
  

4. SafeGraph

SafeGraph is gaining global traction in POI data but has limited presence in Niger as of 2025. Their platform is designed for structured commercial POI metadata and may benefit multinational firms evaluating market entry, though coverage is still minimal in West Africa.

Pros:

• High-quality metadata for business POIs
  
  

• Clean, exportable format for analytics
  
  

Cons:

• Limited coverage in Niger’s rural and informal economy
  
  

• More aligned with retail and real estate in urban areas

5. Google Maps Platform

Google Maps provides a baseline for navigation and POI search in Niger, especially in Niamey and larger cities. However, the platform’s data is not structured for export, lacks detailed metadata, and often omits informal services or rural facilities.

Pros:

• Familiar interface for basic POI discovery
  
  

• Frequent user-generated content updates
  
  

Cons:

• Not suitable for enterprise or development planning
  
  

• POI data structure lacks transparency and completeness
  
  

Conclusion

In a country like Niger, where development, logistics, education, and health services must span vast and diverse terrain, POI data is more than just map markers—it’s strategic infrastructure. Accurate, current, and accessible POI data enables governments, NGOs, and businesses to allocate resources, reach people, and build for the future.

In 2025, Techsalerator stands at the forefront of this mission in Niger, offering the most complete, flexible, and locally-relevant POI datasets available. Whether you're improving digital access, designing last-mile distribution routes, or supporting emergency response, Techsalerator provides the location intelligence to drive real-world impact across the Sahel.