Chad has invited Russian companies to invest in its digital economy after talks in Moscow focused on cybersecurity, online public services and digital skills.
Chad’s Secretary of State for Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Digitalisation, Ibangolo Manga Abel Maïna, met Russia’s Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, Bella Cherkesova, on October 8 within the framework of the second Global Digital Forum, held in Moscow on October 8-10, according to Africa Business Insider.
The Russian deputy minister identified cybersecurity, the digitalization of government services and training for digital occupations as areas where Russia could share expertise.
In turn, Maïna said Chad could benefit from Russia's experience in modernizing its administration, adding that artificial intelligence and fiber-optic infrastructure are key to the country’s development priorities.
He also encouraged Russian investors to participate in Chad’s digital transformation, while Moscow asked N’Djamena to support Russian candidates for decision-making posts at the International Telecommunication Union.
Chad has previously held digital cooperation talks with countries including the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Kenya, India, Azerbaijan and Nigeria.
In September, the Chadian government asked the World Bank to accelerate the deployment of 500 telecommunications sites in areas without network coverage. In September 2024, the World Bank approved a $92.2 million International Development Association grant for the five-year Chad Digital Transformation Project, intended to expand affordable and resilient broadband and strengthen the state’s capacity to deliver digital public services.
The project aims to give more than 4.5 million people in rural areas access to broadband and enable more than 2 million people to use supported public digital platforms. It also includes digital-skills support, with a particular focus on women and young people.
