(Ecofin Agency) - • Landlocked Chad aims to reduce reliance on Cameroon for international internet access
• Plans include new IXPs and regional redundancy links with Algeria, Libya, and Nigeria
• Connectivity disruptions and infrastructure gaps underline urgency of reforms

Chad, a landlocked country, largely relies on Cameroon for its international connectivity. This heavy dependence comes with several other challenges that impact the quality of telecom services in the country.

Chadian authorities are planning initiatives to strengthen the digital infrastructure to improve frequently disrupted connectivity. These initiatives were presented by Haliki Choua Mahamat, the Director-General of the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP), on Tuesday, May 20, during a roundtable discussion at the 22nd seminar of the Regulators Network in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Chad plans to establish Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in major cities to enhance local accessibility and reduce latency. It also contemplates signing bilateral and multilateral agreements to establish redundancy links with neighboring countries like Libya, Algeria, and Nigeria, in addition to the existing link with Cameroon.

Haliki Choua Mahamat outlined major connectivity challenges that Chad faces. Deprived of access to submarine cables due to its landlocked position, the country relies on a single link with Cameroon, limiting its digital resilience. The roll-out of optical fiber remains uneven, with some areas still uncovered, high access costs, and insufficient interconnection between existing infrastructures.

This situation leads to a persistent degradation in the quality and availability of telecom services, particularly the internet. The most recent major disruption happened in October and lasted nearly 24 hours. Other minor interruptions have been reported since. Recently, Cameroon suspended Chad's international connectivity due to arrears in payment. While Chadian authorities quickly mobilized to restore service, these episodes underscore the fragility of the current system.

Improving and consolidating the digital infrastructure are crucial to ensure stable and long-lasting connectivity, in line with a broad vision for the development of the digital economy and the strengthening of digital sovereignty.

However, these initiatives are still in preliminary stages, and their implementation will depend on several factors. A specific timeline or dedicated budget has not been disclosed yet, and the redundancy agreements contemplated with neighboring countries have not been formalized. Nonetheless, Algeria and Nigeria are already part of the Trans-Saharan Optical Fiber Backbone project, aimed at interconnecting several countries, including Chad.