That's mostly a chicken-and-egg argument. There are natural resources in Niger (uranium, coal, and petroleum), but with the exception of the first, there's been little to no development of them. Not having the political conditions for a thriving private sector will to that to you.
fair enough, but that speaks more to the sins of past governments than the current one.
Give me a team of mercenaries and I'll solve the famine problem in Niger. The problem is leadership, not lack of food.