• Government targets broad digital expansion through “Chad Connection 2030” and global partnerships
  
  
• Country remains low in e-government and cybersecurity rankings despite ongoing reforms

Chadian authorities are finalizing a new digital law that incorporates international standards on cybersecurity, data protection and internet governance. The framework is intended to bring the country’s digital regulations in line with global best practices.

The initiative was announced on Tuesday by Boukar Michel, Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Administration Digitalization, during the third edition of the Chadian School of Internet Governance (TCSIG).

“The future belongs to those who identify opportunities before they become obvious. In the digital age, a country that does not control its data does not control its destiny,” he said.

The new law is designed to update the country’s legislation at a time when digital transformation has become a core policy priority. The government aims to position digital technologies as a driver of economic, social and human development.

On October 22, the National Assembly approved an ordinance issued earlier this year amending the 2014 law governing electronic communications and postal services. The revised legislation seeks to modernize the sector, promote competition, improve network coverage and reinforce the country’s digital sovereignty.

The government also recently presented a national strategy called “Chad Connection 2030,” which outlines $1.5 billion in planned digital investment. The ambition is to raise Chad’s economic standing in Africa within six years and extend digital coverage to most of the population. The plan also calls for the digitization and interconnection of all public and state-affiliated services to enable widespread access to e-government.

To advance these goals, Chad is strengthening international partnerships to benefit from global expertise and attract investment. Since the beginning of the year, the country has deepened cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Cameroon, Kenya, India, Canada and the United States, among others. It is also working to reduce its digital and geographic isolation.

Despite these initiatives, Chad remains near the bottom of global rankings. The country sits 189th out of 193 in the latest UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI), with a score of 0.1785. This is below both the African average of 0.4247 and the global average of 0.6382.

Chad also falls in the second-lowest category (Tier 4) in the ITU’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, with a score of 48.67 out of 100. While the country performs relatively well in terms of legislation and cooperation, the report highlights gaps in technical capabilities, organizational preparedness and national capacity-building.

Isaac K. Kassouwi