At the heart of the Sahel, a country long perceived as landlocked and marginalized is now surprising observers. Chad, despite its security and climate challenges, seems to have found a unique path to breathe new life into its economy. It is not a miracle, but a series of bold choices that are beginning to bear fruit. What if, against all odds, this country were to become an unexpected model for the rest of the continent?
A resilient economy in the face of adversity
Chad has never had it easy. Without access to the sea, with an arid climate and limited infrastructure, it could have settled for the bare economic minimum. Yet in recent years, the country has shown a remarkable ability to bounce back.
“We have learned to do more with less,” says Mahamat Idriss, an economist in N’Djamena. “When you face extreme constraints, you are forced to innovate.”
According to World Bank figures, Chad recorded economic growth of 3.4% in 2023, despite persistent regional inflation. What is striking is the gradual diversification of its revenues: long dependent on oil, the country is now investing in agriculture, livestock, and digital services.
A bet on smart agriculture
In the plains of Kanem, fields of sorghum and millet stretch as far as the eye can see. Yet it is not the quantity that impresses, but the method. Chad is banking on climate-adapted agriculture, with drought-resistant seeds and micro-irrigation techniques.
“Before, our harvests depended entirely on rainfall. Now, we use solar sensors to monitor soil moisture,” explains Amina Djarma, a farmer in Mao. “We no longer waste a single drop of water.”
With the support of international partners, the government launched the “Tchad Vert” program in 2021, aiming to make 200,000 hectares cultivable by 2025. Already, more than 60,000 hectares have been rehabilitated, creating thousands of rural jobs and reducing food dependency.
A digital ecosystem in full swing
In N’Djamena, a new generation of entrepreneurs is emerging. In a coworking space simply called “Sahel Tech”, young people are coding, innovating, and dreaming big. Digital technology is becoming an unexpected economic driver in a country where Internet access remains limited.
“People thought digital was for the big African capitals. But here, we have talent and ideas,” smiles Fatimé Alhadi, founder of the app “Zoua”, which connects agricultural producers to urban markets.
The government has lowered taxes on computer equipment and launched a 4G coverage plan for major cities. As a result, the number of tech startups doubled between 2021 and 2023, according to the National Digital Development Agency.
More rigorous budget management than one might think
Long criticized for its opacity, Chad has begun a shift toward better financial governance. Under pressure from donors but also out of necessity, the country has implemented a digital budget tracking system, accessible to the public.
“We can now see online where every franc of the public budget goes,” says Idriss Oumar, an analyst at the NGO Transparence Tchad. “It is not yet perfect, but it is a silent revolution.”
In 2022, Chad reduced its military spending by 18% to reallocate these funds to education and health. A bold choice in a country still facing security threats, but one that is beginning to bear fruit: the primary school enrollment rate rose from 77% to 84% in two years.
Discreet but effective economic diplomacy
Chad does not make grand speeches on the international stage, but it patiently weaves its alliances. By strengthening its relations with Sudan, Cameroon, and Libya, it has managed to secure its trade routes and attract new investors.
“Chad has become a logistics hub for the Sahelian region,” notes Florence Kouassi, a specialist in trans-Saharan trade. “It plays a pivotal role between Central Africa and the Maghreb.”
In 2023, the country signed a free movement of goods agreement with Niger and Nigeria, reducing customs fees for agricultural products by 40%. This gradual opening strengthens its strategic position in a region in search of economic stability.
Lessons to reflect on for the rest of the continent
Chad is not an eldorado. It still faces immense challenges: endemic poverty, limited access to clean water, latent political instability. But it is precisely in this difficult context that its economic choices take on their full meaning.
“What impresses me is their ability to transform constraints into opportunities,” summarizes Moussa Diarra, a development consultant based in Dakar. “Chad reminds us that innovation does not always come from the wealthiest places, but often from the most resilient.”
As many African countries question their growth model, Chad offers an unexpected path: that of a lean, adapted economy, rooted in local realities. An economy that makes no noise, but moves forward, step by step.
What if, in the silences of the desert, lay the keys to an African economic renewal?
