FIDIT 2025: Catalyzing Chad's Economic Growth Through Infrastructure Development

Summary

The International Forum for Infrastructure Development in Chad (FIDIT 2025) is a strategic platform designed to promote economic growth and regional integration by bolstering infrastructure and attracting investments. As a landlocked country, Chad experiences significant obstacles in transport, energy, and telecommunications, which impede its economic advancement. The forum seeks to overcome these obstacles by showcasing new investment projects, encouraging public-private partnerships, and pinpointing suitable financing mechanisms to guarantee the successful execution of infrastructure initiatives.

Egypt is a key participant in FIDIT 2025, aiming to deepen its cooperation with Chad through technical and investment support for infrastructure development. A central focus is the Egypt-Libya-Chad Corridor, a project intended to boost regional trade and economic integration among the three nations. The forum is expected to enhance Chad’s connectivity with neighboring countries, foster sustainable infrastructure, and strengthen regional security and stability, thus positioning Chad as a vital hub for infrastructure and economic activities in Africa.

Main Points

• Forum Objective: To offer a platform for dialogue and cooperation in infrastructure development, investment attraction, and policy discussions.

• Infrastructure Challenges in Chad: As a landlocked nation, Chad grapples with limited transport networks, energy access, and digital connectivity, affecting its economic competitiveness.

• Strategic Themes: The forum addresses crucial areas such as governance, climate challenges, financing models, and technological advancements in infrastructure.

• Egypt’s Role: Egypt plays a vital role in supporting infrastructure projects, providing technical expertise, and promoting investment opportunities in Chad.

• Egypt-Libya-Chad Corridor: A significant infrastructure project aimed at improving trade routes, fostering economic integration, and enhancing border security between the three countries.

• Regional Cooperation: The forum facilitates partnerships with international investors, financial institutions, and African nations to ensure long-term development.

• Expected Outcomes: Enhanced infrastructure connectivity, economic diversification, job creation, and regional stability, positioning Chad as a key player in Africa’s infrastructure network.

Introduction

Infrastructure is a cornerstone for achieving economic and social development, contributing to enhanced geographical connectivity, facilitated trade, and improved essential services. Chad, as a landlocked country, faces considerable challenges in developing its infrastructure, impacting its regional and international competitiveness. Therefore, the International Forum for Infrastructure Development in Chad (FIDIT 2025) endeavors to establish an ambitious roadmap to strengthen the infrastructure sector by presenting investment projects, attracting partnerships, and discussing effective policies.

Preparations for the Forum

Extensive preparatory work preceded the forum, with the Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Integration, Aziz Mohamed Saleh, presiding over the preparatory session for FIDIT 2025. This session occurred on January 22, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in N’Djamena, one month prior to the forum's scheduled dates of February 18-20, 2025.

The event was attended by numerous officials from the Ministry, technical and financial partners, and distinguished invitees. The primary goal was to unite experts, investors, and policymakers to discuss issues concerning infrastructure development and to mobilize funds for major projects.

In his address, Minister Aziz Mohamed Saleh underscored the forum's importance in implementing the five-year development plan proposed by Chad’s President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, which prioritizes road construction as a key developmental strategy. The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) is also collaborating with Chad to organize this event, with high-level ministerial delegations anticipated from Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates.

Key Themes of the Forum

The forum will concentrate on several main themes, addressing various aspects of infrastructure development in Chad:

1. Governance and Regional Coordination

   • Enhancing transparency and accountability in infrastructure project implementation.

   • Strengthening cooperation between the government and the private sector to ensure efficient project execution.

   • Coordinating regional infrastructure projects, such as developing commercial corridors between Chad and neighboring countries.

2. Assessing Current Infrastructure and Development Strategies

   • Reviewing existing infrastructure in transport, energy, water, and information technology sectors.

   • Examining legal and regulatory reforms needed to attract investments.

   • Showcasing major projects, including:

     • The Egypt-Libya-Chad Corridor Project

     • The Eastern Gateway Project, connecting Chad with Sudan and Libya

     • The Atlantic Corridor, facilitating access to western seaports

     • Expansion of road networks and railways to enhance domestic and international connectivity

3. Climate Challenges and Infrastructure Maintenance

   • Analyzing the impact of climate change on the sustainability and quality of infrastructure.

   • Developing periodic maintenance strategies and climate-resilient infrastructure solutions.

   • Promoting sustainable resource utilization in infrastructure projects.

4. Financing and Investment Opportunities

   • Exploring innovative financing models, such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

   • Identifying international funding sources, including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

   • Incentivizing private sector investments through financial and regulatory incentives.

5. Technology and Innovation in Infrastructure

   • Digitalizing infrastructure projects to improve efficiency and management.

   • Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the design of road and transport networks.

   • Incorporating renewable energy solutions in future infrastructure projects.
     

Objectives of the Forum

The forum aims to create a platform for dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders to develop modern and sustainable infrastructure projects that will drive economic and social development in Chad. Its specific objectives include:

• Analyzing the current state of infrastructure in Chad and identifying key challenges.

• Presenting strategies for implementing transport, energy, and telecommunication projects aligned with Chad’s 2025-2029 vision.

• Attracting foreign and domestic investments through innovative financing models, including PPP agreements.

• Strengthening regional cooperation to improve Chad’s connectivity with neighboring countries.

• Introducing new, bankable projects and securing financial commitments from investors.

This forum represents a significant milestone in achieving Chad’s 2025-2029 vision, which aspires to transform the country into a regional hub for infrastructure and transport. By attracting investments and improving governance, the forum will act as a catalyst for economic growth and bridging the developmental gap between different regions within Chad.

Egypt and Chad: A Historical Relationship

Egypt and Chad share a deep-rooted historical relationship, as Chad holds strategic importance for Egypt’s national security, given its shared borders with Sudan and Libya. Chad’s history dates back to the era of African empires, with the first Arab-Islamic kingdom, the Kanem Kingdom, emerging in Chad in the 8th century AD. The kingdom expanded its influence in the 9th century, encompassing the entirety of Central Sudan, before falling under French colonial rule in 1920 and finally gaining independence in 1960.

Given Egypt’s influential role in Africa and its commitment to supporting development efforts across the continent, Egypt continuously seeks to strengthen its cooperation with African nations, including Chad. The FIDIT 2025 Forum presents an opportunity to enhance this partnership, as Egypt is expected to play a key role by sharing its expertise in infrastructure development and providing technical and investment support to promote sustainable development in Chad.

One of the key areas of focus for Egypt’s participation in the conference will be the Egypt-Libya-Chad Corridor.

Egypt-Libya-Chad Corridor: A Strategic Economic Project

The Egypt-Libya-Chad Corridor is a strategic project aimed at enhancing land connectivity between the three nations, facilitating trade exchange, and economic integration. The project proposes constructing a major international highway, extending from Egypt through Libya and into Chad, thereby easing the movement of goods and individuals between these countries.

Economic and infrastructure experts from Egypt, Libya, and Chad foresee numerous economic, commercial, and security benefits associated with this project. Key advantages include:

• Strengthening trade integration, particularly in food security and agricultural commodities.

• Improving border security through joint monitoring efforts.

To facilitate the corridor's development, the Libyan government, appointed by the House of Representatives, proposed the formation of a tripartite committee to study the project's implementation mechanisms. During ministerial consultations between Libya and Chad in N’Djamena in August 2024, the Libyan government formally announced its proposal for the formation of a trilateral committee comprising Libya, Chad, and Egypt to evaluate the project’s feasibility.

Furthermore, on August 11, 2024, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with the Director-General of the Libyan Development and Reconstruction Fund to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and Egypt’s involvement in Libya’s reconstruction efforts.

Key Developments in the Project

• Signing of a Cooperation Protocol: In December 2024, Chad’s Minister of Infrastructure, Aziz Mohamed Saleh, signed a protocol with Eng. Ahmed Al-Assar, the Chairman of the Arab Contractors Company, to conduct feasibility studies and initiate construction of the Egypt-Libya-Chad Highway. The project is expected to enhance cross-border trade and economic ties across the Sahel region.

• Memorandum of Understanding with Libya: In August 2024, the Libyan government announced plans to establish a trilateral committee to study the project’s implementation.

Expected Benefits of the Corridor

• Economic Integration: The corridor will enhance economic cooperation between the three nations, facilitating trade and investment flows.

• Development of Border Regions: Infrastructure improvements will create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in remote areas.

• Enhanced Security and Stability: Coordinated efforts in securing the corridor will reduce illegal activities and strengthen regional stability.
  

Conclusion

Egypt’s participation in the FIDIT 2025 Forum reinforces its commitment to fostering African development and regional cooperation. By offering technical expertise and investment partnerships, Egypt aims to strengthen Chad’s infrastructure sector, facilitating sustainable economic growth and regional integration.

The Egypt-Libya-Chad Corridor, in particular, stands out as a transformative project that could redefine economic and trade relations between North and Central Africa.