The regions of Niger are subdivided into 63 departments (French: départements).
The decentralisation process, begun in the 1995-1999 period replaced appointed Prefects at Departmental or Arrondissement level with elected councils, first elected in 1999.
On 1 August 2011, the National Assembly of Niger approved a law that created 27 new departments centered on the former appointed sub departmental Postes Administratifs, bringing the number of departments to 63.
[1] The 27 new department capitals are: Aderbissanat, Iférouane, Ingall, Bosso, Goudoumaria, N'Gourti, Dioundiou, Falmèye, Tibiri, Bermo, Gazaoua, Bagaroua, Tassara, Tillia, Abala, Ayérou, Balléyara, Bankilare, Banibangou, Gothèye, Torodi, Belbédji, Damagaram Takaya, Dungass, Takieta, Tesker.
The former postes administratifs (administrative posts) for largely uninhabited desert areas or military zones were incorporated as full departments with borders to be determined.