The Ministry of Commerce, by a decree published on Wednesday, March 08, 2023, set the price of the 2023 hajj at 3,603,840f CFA, against 3,281,000f in 2022, an increase of nearly 400,000f CFA (12%).
In this decree, the Minister of Commerce draws the attention of the organizers and other actors involved in the organization of the hajj that ”this price of the hajj is understood as a ceiling price and is applicable throughout the national territory”.
”Travel agencies are required to advertise this price by displaying or marking inside or in front of their premises” stipulates the decree of the Minister of Commerce.
Recall that in 2022, there were 7,171 candidates for the pilgrimage, among whom 134 were unable to make the trip, for a quota of 7,194 places offered to Niger by Saudi Arabia.
For this 2023 edition, Niger has a quota of 15,891 pilgrims, with no age restriction, i.e. double that of 2022.
We believe it is time for the state to invest fully in the organization of hajj, by revising the price downwards and by instituting a limited number of hajj agencies.
There is no point in leaving a plethora of agencies for poor quality services.