The Departments of Niger are subdivided into communes. As of 2005, in the seven Regions and one Capital Area, there were 36 départements, divided into 265 communes, 122 cantons and 81 groupements. The latter two categories cover all areas not covered by Urban Communes (population over 10000) or Rural Communes (population under 10000), and are governed by the Department, whereas Communes have (since 1999) elected councils and mayors. Additional semi-autonomous sub-divisions include Sultanates, Provinces and Tribes (tribus). The Nigerien government estimates there are an additional 17000 Villages administered by Rural Communes, while there are over 100 Quartiers (boroughs or neighborhoods) administered by Urban Communes. The territorial reorganisation of Niger's local administration, known informally as the Decentralisation process, was carried out through a series of laws from 1998 - 2005. Most important are: While often translated as "town", Nigerien communes are simply the third level administrative subdivision of the nation. These can be classified Urban or Rural communes, and while often identical in territory to the administrative unit of a town or city, all areas of the country fall within a commune. The communes are listed below, by Department.

Abala Department

Abalak Department

Aderbissinat Department

Aguie Department

Arlit Department

Ayourou Department

Bagaroua Department

Balléyara Department

Banibangou Department

Bankilare Department

Belbédji Department

Bermo Department

Bilma Department

Bkonni Department

Boboye Department

Bosso Department

Bouza Department

Dakoro Department

Damagaram Takaya Department

Diffa Department

Dioundiou Department

Dogondoutchi Department

Dosso Department

Dungass Department

Falmey Department

Filingue Department

Gaya Department

Gazaoua Department

Gothèye Department

Goudoumaria Department

Goure Department

Guidan Roumdji Department

Iferouane Department

Illela Department

In-Gall Department

Keita Department

Kollo Department

Loga Department

Madarounfa Department

Madaoua Department

Maine-soroa Department

Magaria Department

Malbaza Department

Maradi Department

Matameye Department

Mayahi Department

Mirriah Department

N'Gourti Department

N'guigmi Department

Niamey

Communauté Urbaine de Niamey (CUN) includes five Urban Communes and 99 Quarters, each with elected representatives (délégués de commune) to the Council of the Communauté Urbaine de Niamey.

Ouallam Department

Say Department

Tahoua Department

Tahoua City Department

Takeita Department

Tanout Department

Tassara Department

Tchin-Tabaraden Department

Tchirozerine Department

Téra Department

Tesker Department

Tessaoua Department

Tibiri Department

Tillaberi Department

Tillia Department

Torodi Department

Zinder Department