Published: 17.10.2026
The .ne extension is the country-code domain of Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa with its capital in Niamey. Organisations, businesses and projects in the country can use a .ne name to show their national identity and to reach people who live there. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .ne is still available.
Check if a .ne domain is available .ne Check
A short history
Niger received its national code in the early years of the internet, when access was limited to universities, research institutes and government offices. As the number of websites grew, the zone became a normal choice for local organisations that wanted to show a clear national identity. Today it is used mainly by Nigerien businesses, schools, development organisations and public information projects.
Who runs it
Names in the zone are handled by a national registry. The registry keeps the database, sets the rules for holders and works with accredited registrars, which take orders from customers. Because the conditions are set at national level, the current terms should be checked with the registry or the registrar before any payment is made.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry may set rules on who can hold a .ne name, so check whether you or your organisation meet them.
- Contact details: the information you provide must be accurate, and the registry may ask for it to be confirmed.
- Characters: a name can use letters, digits and hyphens. Whether accented French letters are accepted depends on the current rules, so check first.
- Renewal: note the expiry date and send renewal reminders to two people, so that the name is not lost by accident.
Who uses .ne
- Trading companies, pharmacies and service providers in Niamey and other towns.
- Education providers, from schools to universities, that serve students in towns across the country.
- Development projects, farmers' groups and community associations with a local audience.
- Media outlets and public information sites that publish in French or in local languages.
Strengths
- The ending points clearly to Niger, which helps local users recognise an organisation rooted in the country.
- A short name is easy to repeat by phone and to print on a card, a sign or a vehicle.
- French is the official language, and Hausa and Zarma are widely spoken, so a site can serve several audiences.
Things to keep in mind
- Niger and Nigeria are different countries with different endings, so make sure you order the correct one.
- Since the zone belongs to one country, an organisation with supporters abroad may want a generic address too.
- Many users reach websites on mobile phones, so keep pages light and simple.
- Short names may already be registered, so consider adding the town or the activity.
Tips before you register
- Compare the name with .com and decide whether a second address adds value.
- Write the organisation's name exactly as its official papers spell it.
- Publish a contact page and a legal notice in French, and add a local language where it helps readers.
- Add SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any newsletter or invoice.
- Give two trusted people access to the registrar account and switch on auto-renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Is .ne the same as .ng? No. The .ne ending belongs to Niger, while .ng belongs to Nigeria. Check the country before you order, because the two are easy to confuse.
Does a .ne address help a site appear in search results? It is one geographic hint. Relevant content in the right language, a site that works well on phones and genuine references matter more.
Should the site be written in French or a local language? French is the official language and is widely used in government and education. Local languages are part of daily life, so a site can offer both.
