The announcement of Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou as the 2020 winner of the $5m (N1.905 billion) Ibrahim prize for African leadership is prompting a look back at why he won it.
Issoufou is the sixth recipient of the Ibrahim Prize of excellence in African leadership.
Here are five top reasons that got him the win.
1 – President Issoufou had provided exceptional leadership to his country by fostering economic growth, after inheriting one of the world’s poorest economies that faced seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Under his administration, the number of Nigeriens living below the poverty line has fallen to 40%, from 48% a decade ago.
2 – President Issoufou’s unwavering commitment to regional stability. He contributed to the Multinational Task Force effort in fighting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin states and Francophone coalition against terrorism.
3- Championed African democracy. Issoufou was the first democratically elected president in 2011, following many years of military rule in Niger.
4 – President Issoufou’s commitment to his country’s constitution. He was elected for a second term in 2016 and stepped down at the end of this mandate, demonstrating his clear respect for the constitution.