• Chad’s telecom regulator and police dismantle illegal telecom kiosks in Ndjamena
• Operation targets unauthorized operators, unidentified SIMs, and illicit transfers
• Authorities to set up commission to secure digital borders and curb telecom fraud

Chad’s Electronic and Postal Communications Regulatory Authority (ARCEP), in coordination with the national police, launched a major crackdown on June 10 targeting unauthorized telecommunications kiosks in the capital, Ndjamena.

Led by ARCEP Director General Haliki Choua Mahamat, the operation aimed to dismantle kiosks operating without licenses, stop illicit international fund transfers, and eliminate the use of unidentified SIM cards. Authorities view these activities as serious threats to national security.

Some kiosks were found using SIM cards from Cameroonian telecom operators, exploiting cross-border signal interference to carry out money transfers or receive funds without oversight from Chadian regulators.

In light of ongoing efforts across the region to fight financial fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing, Chad is prioritizing the cleanup of its digital financial ecosystem. Authorities indicated that similar operations would continue in the coming weeks, reaffirming that only compliant operations will be allowed under national law.

Amid the rising number of telecom-related fraud cases, particularly involving mobile money, ARCEP also announced plans to create a joint commission dedicated to securing the country’s digital borders. This move forms part of a broader national strategy to prevent fraud and ensure regulatory control over telecom and financial services.