Algeria and Chad have taken a significant step forward in strengthening their strategic partnership, signing two pivotal agreements this week that cover public works and energy. The deals were finalized during high-level delegations visiting N’Djamena and Algiers, with the shared goal of expediting commitments made in April and deepening South-South cooperation.
Infrastructure collaboration gains momentum
In N’Djamena, Algeria’s Minister of Public Works and Basic Infrastructure, Abdelkader Djellaoui, and Chad’s Minister of Infrastructure, Unblocking, and Road Maintenance, Amir Idriss Kourda, formalized an agreement to accelerate bilateral infrastructure projects. The signing took place during a coordination meeting on the second day of the Algerian delegation’s working visit to Chad. The Chadian minister highlighted the swift progress in implementing the bilateral agreements signed in Algiers on April 22, noting tangible advancements such as technical site visits and the initiation of feasibility studies for the trans-Saharan highway crossing Chadian territory.
40 MW power plant to boost Chad’s energy security
Meanwhile, in Algiers, Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal, and Chad’s Minister of Water and Energy, Passalé Kanabé Marcelin, signed an agreement to construct a 40-megawatt power plant in N’Djamena. This initiative aligns with Algeria’s commitment to supporting African nations and fostering South-South collaboration. The ministers explored broader energy cooperation, including electricity production, transmission, and distribution, as well as the supply of electrical and gas equipment and workforce training.
The technical study for the power plant has been completed following a recent assessment by Sonelgaz teams in Chad. Both countries are now preparing to ship equipment ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony. Additionally, Chadian technicians will undergo a month-long training program at Algeria’s Sonelgaz training centers to ensure seamless operation of the plant once operational. The partnership also includes plans to rehabilitate N’Djamena’s electricity grid.
A milestone for South-South cooperation
For Chad’s energy minister, the agreement represents a historic milestone in Algerian-Chadian relations. He emphasized that the foundations for this cooperation were laid during Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno‘s official visit to Algiers in April. Marcelin praised Algeria’s role as a regional leader in electricity, noting that 12 Chadian trainees are currently undergoing training in Algeria, with more groups expected to follow.
Yazid Djellouli, CEO of Sonelgaz International, confirmed that the plant will be entirely Algerian in terms of design, equipment, and labor. Chadian authorities are set to begin site preparation while equipment transfers and construction commence. Sonelgaz International, established earlier this year, has already received multiple inquiries from African countries for similar energy and infrastructure projects. Saleh Ben Haliki, Director-General of Chad’s national electricity company, hailed the project as a testament to the renewed partnership between the two nations, reaffirming Chad’s eagerness to leverage Algeria’s recognized expertise in electrification.
