EIB to Finance Chad's ICT System and Digitization of Public Services

EIB to Finance Chad’s ICT System and Digitization of Public Services

Following Chad’s long-term plan to strengthen its economy and digital development, the Chadian government launched a 10-year digital development strategy in 2020. Subsequently, the European Investment Bank (EIB) approved three new initiatives to support economic and social development across the country.

On April 11, Financing for Chad’s public sector digitalization and information system deployment was been granted by the European Investment Bank (EIB). This approval was made public according to Idriss Saleh Bachar, the Minister of Information and Communications Technology of Chad, at an audience he provided to Deloitte and TACTIS specialists. Where the specialists were tasked with carrying out feasibility studies for the Chad Digital Transformation Project, which covers those two components.

 

About EIB and Chad the Partnership

The agreement was reached in December 2020, five months after the Chadian government confirmed its 2020-2030 strategic digital development plan during a workshop conducted from July 15-16, 2020.

Chad intends to increase the efficiency of collaboration amongst its institutions through the implementation of an information technology infrastructure. Meanwhile, it is anticipated that the digitalization of public services would improve the overall quality of the services provided to citizens.

 

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EIB reported that the initiatives “consist of the EIB’s first targeted support for digitalization and rural connectivity in the country, the Bank’s first private sector financing programme to accelerate business investment and help companies in Chad operating in the sectors worst hit by COVID-19, and backing for Chad’s membership of the Agency for Trade Insurance in Africa to facilitate trade and investment there.”

In addition, according to Minister Idriss Saleh Bachar, the European Investment Bank (EIB) intends to spend €150 million on the project, which involves the expansion of telecommunications connectivity in rural regions, which is a critical component of digital inclusion.

 

Connecting Chad To The World

The financial support provided falls in accordance with the terms of a cooperation agreement signed between Chad and the European Investment Bank (EIB) in December 2020 to boost digitalization and rural connectivity.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide support for digitalization in the Sahel through three feasibility studies; how to provide high-speed broadband, improved telecommunications, and better connectivity for remote rural communities, assisting the government in meeting its goal of doubling economic support for information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the coming years.

 

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Furthermore, Minister Dr. Idriss Bachar Saleh affirmed that “A high-impact investment in digitalisation is key to boosting future economic growth and social progress in landlocked Chad. The new cooperation with the European Investment Bank will enable Chad to benefit from technical expertise and best practices in the digital sector. My colleagues and I look forward to working with the EIB in the months and years ahead,”