Chad Launches $1.5B Digital Strategy to Connect Citizens by 2030
At the heart of the plan is a commitment to deliver quality internet access to the majority of Chadians by 2030, empowering citizens and businesses through widespread digital connectivity.
The government of Chad has launched an ambitious $1.5 billion programme under its “Chad Connection 2030” strategy, aimed at transforming the country into one of Africa’s leading digital economies within the next six years. At the heart of the plan is a commitment to deliver quality internet access to the majority of Chadians by 2030, empowering citizens and businesses through widespread digital connectivity.
The strategy outlines a series of strategic priorities to unlock digital access across the country. Key among these is the construction of new regional connection lines to improve both the quality and availability of internet services. The national fiber backbone will be reinforced through the completion of fiber loops in urban and rural areas, while satellite solutions will be deployed to extend coverage to remote and isolated regions.
To lower the cost of internet access and promote competition, the government plans to privatize Sotel, the state-owned telecom provider, and introduce a third private operator into the market. This move is expected to drive down consumer prices and improve service quality by stimulating market competition. Additionally, the plan includes measures to enforce telephone number portability, giving users the freedom to switch providers without changing their numbers.
The digital transformation programme also places strong emphasis on the modernization of public services. The government aims to digitize, interconnect, and strengthen public and parapublic services, allowing citizens to access a comprehensive range of e-government services. Digital payments for basic services will be accelerated and expanded nationwide, further promoting inclusion and financial transparency.
Regulatory reforms form a critical component of the strategy. The telecommunications regulator will be reformed and empowered with new oversight and enforcement capabilities, in line with international standards. The sector’s regulatory framework will also be updated to support the successful implementation of planned reforms.
A series of structural infrastructure projects are already planned to support these ambitions. These include the completion of a 509-kilometre international fiber connection from N’Djamena to the Niger border, opening new internet access points to Libya and Egypt, and deploying satellite links to underserved rural zones. A new company will also be established to manage Chad’s high-speed fiber optic infrastructure.
Developed with support from the World Bank, stakeholder consultations, and analysis by Roland Berger, the “Chad Connection 2030” programme represents a major step forward in the country’s digital and economic future. If successfully implemented, it promises to significantly increase digital inclusion, strengthen government services, and accelerate innovation and economic development across Chad.
