• Parliament approved a law updating rules for electronic communications

• The reform aligns regulation with digital growth and technological change

• Telecoms generated CFA237 billion in revenue in 2024

Chad is strengthening its legal framework to better regulate changes in the electronic communications sector. The Senate on December 23 adopted a law aimed at aligning national regulation with technological shifts and the growing use of digital services, as digital activity gradually expands across the country.

Reviewed in a plenary session, the law ratifies Ordinance No. 011/PR/2025 amending Article 18 of the 2014 law on electronic communications. The revision is intended to reflect the rapid evolution of the sector, the diversification of digital services, and rising challenges related to networks, data, and cybersecurity. The bill was approved by a large majority, with 65 votes in favor out of 67 senators registered.

The legislative update comes as digital services play an increasingly visible role in Chad’s economy. According to data from the National Office of Audiovisual Media, around 30% of the population, or nearly 5.6 million people, had access to the internet in 2024. The country also recorded more than 14 million mobile subscriptions, representing a penetration rate close to 80%. Despite this growth in mobile usage, internet access remains limited, particularly outside major urban centers.

In this context, updating the regulatory framework is seen as a lever to structure a digital ecosystem that is still taking shape. The telecommunications sector, which generated nearly CFA237 billion ($426.5 million) in revenue in 2024, is already an important pillar of the economy. However, its potential continues to be constrained by infrastructure gaps, limited coverage, and regulatory challenges.

Beyond the legal aspect, the authorities are pursuing broader objectives, including strengthening the security of digital infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and improving the sector’s attractiveness to private investors. Clearer rules are also viewed as a prerequisite for modernizing public services and accelerating the digitalization of government administration.

The key challenge remains effective implementation. The impact of the reform will depend on the authorities’ ability to enforce the new provisions, strengthen the regulator’s capacity, and support operators during the transition. If followed by concrete measures, the law could help lay the foundations for a more structured and inclusive digital ecosystem in Chad.

Samira Njoya