Niger
GaneshAID supported Niger in zero-dose child identification and Gavi application development — a Sahel country with one of the world's highest concentrations of zero-dose children, shaped by geographic remoteness, nomadic populations and fragile health systems.
Key Immunisation and Health System Challenges
Niger has among the highest numbers of zero-dose children globally, reflecting deep structural challenges: a vast territory with poor road infrastructure, large nomadic and semi-nomadic populations, severe health worker shortages in remote areas, and limited cold chain coverage outside major towns. Combined with security constraints in some regions, reaching all children with life-saving vaccines remains one of the country's most critical public health challenges.
GaneshAID's technical assistance provided the Ministry of Health and the national EPI with rigorous zero-dose analysis and a roadmap of prioritised, sustainable interventions for Gavi funding — building the evidence base needed to target resources where they will have the greatest equity impact.
Niger's zero-dose children are disproportionately concentrated in the most remote rural areas and among nomadic communities — where both supply-side coverage and demand-side access are structurally weak.
GaneshAID Support in Niger
Zero-dose child identification and barrier analysis
Primary and secondary analysis responding to all key analytical questions from Gavi's Zero-Dose Analysis Cards ("identify" section). Additional qualitative data collection conducted where the country context required it. Analysis covered geographic coverage gaps, demand-side barriers, supply-side constraints and systemic factors — differentiated by community typology (conflict zones, rural, urban informal, mobile populations).
HCD ideation sessions for tailored solutions
Interactive ideation sessions facilitated in-person and/or remotely using Human Centred Design methodology. Sessions brought together Ministry of Health staff, EPI teams, NGOs, local CSOs and humanitarian actors to co-design new, tailored and sustainable solutions directly addressing identified barriers to reaching zero-dose children. Documentation of minutes, action items and follow-up assurance throughout.
Gavi funding application development
Development of a complete set of prioritised, sustainable programmatic interventions reflected in: (1) Theory of Change for Gavi investments; (2) the supporting country application narrative; and (3) the submitted work plan, budget and Monitoring & Learning Plan. All applications developed under Ministry of Health leadership with full EPI stakeholder engagement.
Operational Contributions and System Improvements
As part of an eight-country zero-dose programme, applications were developed successfully under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, with full engagement of EPI stakeholders including NGOs, local CSOs and humanitarian actors. The participatory approach built national analytical capacity beyond the immediate application cycle.
Ministry-led applications
All applications developed under Ministry of Health ownership — national propositions, not donor-driven products.
Differentiated barrier analysis
Zero-dose typologies and barriers identified by context: conflict zones, rural areas, urban settlements and mobile populations.
HCD-validated solutions
Tailored programmatic interventions co-designed with national stakeholders and validated through participatory ideation.
Partners and Ecosystem in Niger
Part of an eight-country zero-dose programme
This engagement is one of eight countries where GaneshAID provided participatory technical assistance for Gavi funding applications. The multi-country programme covered EAF, HSS, CCEOP and FPP funding streams, building a replicable model for equity-focused zero-dose programme design across fragile and low-resource contexts.