Sixty-six years after gaining independence, Chad faces a significant paradox: despite its vast territory and strategic location in Central Africa, internal mobility heavily relies on roads, with an interurban transport network that remains largely underdeveloped. Modernizing this vital sector is now a top government priority. The challenge lies in establishing a robust system to connect key cities like N’Djamena, Moundou, Sarh, Abéché, Mongo, Faya-Largeau, and Bol, ensuring travel is safe, regular, and comfortable, thereby accelerating the nation’s development.

A vast country, a still-fragile network

Spanning an immense 1,284,000 km², Chad’s sheer distances pose a formidable economic challenge. For its citizens, travelling between provinces can consume many hours, often an entire day. Roads remain the primary mode of transit, yet Chad’s transport infrastructure has long suffered from an insufficient network and the complete absence of railways. Previous assessments, including one by the World Bank, underscored the overwhelming dominance of road transport and the scarcity of regular interurban services.

Today, authorities are determined to change this narrative. In March 2026, the government formally declared the opening up of the territory, modernization of infrastructure, and enhancement of national and international connectivity as critical priorities for the transport sector.

From informal transport to an organized system

The real objective extends beyond simply increasing the number of vehicles. It necessitates the construction of a comprehensive national interurban transport system. This includes establishing accredited companies, modern bus terminals, fixed schedules, ticketing systems, rigorous technical inspections, mandatory insurance, driver training, and robust safety protocols. Currently, travellers often navigate various private operators, whose schedules, departure conditions, and comfort levels vary considerably.

A national network structured around major corridors presents a compelling solution. Routes such as N’Djamena–Moundou–Sarh, N’Djamena–Mongo–Abéché, N’Djamena–Massakory–Bol, or N’Djamena–Faya-Largeau could be designated as priority corridors, offering daily departures and regulated fares. The aim isn’t necessarily to create a single public company, but rather to implement a framework where the state sets the rules and the private sector delivers the service.

The Senegalese model offers a valuable blueprint for Chad. In Dakar, authorities have initiated a comprehensive restructuring of the public transport network, integrating Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Regional Express Train (TER), and conventional buses. The initial phase of this restructuring program involves deploying 400 new buses across 14 lines, establishing two workshop-depots, and upgrading over 30 km of road infrastructure, all designed with an intermodal approach. Chad could adapt this strategy to its own scale, recognizing that a transport company is only truly effective when integrated into a larger network. For Chadian interurban transport, this translates to modern terminals at N’Djamena’s exits, designated hubs in major cities, and well-coordinated connections.

Similarly, Rwanda demonstrates the benefits of stringent organization. Between 2024 and 2025, Kigali revamped its public transport, expanding from four to seven corridors while increasing the number of operators from three to thirteen. The government also invested in 200 new buses.

The lesson for Chad is clear: while vehicle numbers matter, regularity, regulated competition, and service quality are equally crucial. A bus departing on time, with a known fare and a clearly displayed destination, would represent a significant advancement for travellers. Interurban transport should not be viewed solely as a passenger service; it is also indispensable for commerce.

A farmer in Moundou needs efficient means to transport produce to N’Djamena. A herder requires access to markets. A student from Abéché must be able to reach their university. A patient needs reliable transport to a hospital.

Therefore, road investments must be complemented by investments in transport services. In 2025, the World Bank approved $170 million to enhance connectivity in the Lake Chad region, specifically funding the paving of 55 km between Liwa and Rig-Rig, 12 km of access roads to Bol, and 50 km of rural roads. These infrastructure improvements must now be integrated into a cohesive national mobility policy.

And what about rail?

In the longer term, Chad must seriously consider developing a railway network. Given its vast distances and significant volumes of goods, the country cannot indefinitely rely solely on trucks and buses for all its mobility needs.

Rail could gradually link major economic basins to borders and regional trade corridors. Indeed, the government has included railway network development among the projects being examined within its transport sector action plan. However, rail represents a substantial investment. Thus, the immediate priority remains the modernization of the road network and the professionalization of bus transport services.

Chad’s model should be pragmatic: it doesn’t need to replicate Dakar or Kigali entirely, but rather build its own framework around five core priorities: year-round passable roads, professional transport companies, modern terminals, robust road safety measures, and accessible fares.

Additionally, the adoption of digital ticketing, vehicle tracking systems, regular technical inspections, and published schedules is essential. After 66 years of independence, travelling between Chadian cities should no longer be an arduous journey. Transport is an invisible yet fundamental infrastructure for development. Without mobility, there is no national market; without a national market, there is no genuine economic integration. Chad in 2030 must therefore be able to answer a simple question: how can a citizen traverse the country safely, affordably, and predictably?

Only under these conditions will the road transcend its role as merely a means of movement to become a true instrument of national development.