At the heart of Africa lies Chad — a nation of paradoxes. Vast in territory, rich in resources, yet struggling to translate its enormous potential into tangible development for its 20 million citizens.
Economic expert Houari Tighersi told dzwatch that Chad’s challenges are not rooted in a lack of resources, but in a failure to convert wealth into real development.
Spanning over 1.28 million km², Chad holds oil reserves accounting for 80–90% of its exports, alongside gold, uranium, fertile agricultural lands, and critical water resources including Lake Chad. Yet its GDP remains a fragile $12–15 billion, with per capita income below $800 annually.
With over 65% of its population under 25, Chad possesses a powerful demographic asset — but only if matched with investment in education and industrialization. Currently, only 9 universities serve 50,000–80,000 students, while illiteracy rates remain alarmingly high.
Tighersi emphasized that Chad stands at a historic crossroads: either remain a rentier economy dependent on raw material exports, or emerge as a new African model built on investment, manufacturing, and smart resource valorization. The potential is there — the question is whether the political will can match it.
