Chad and Nigeria are strengthening cooperation in telecommunications, digital transformation and artificial intelligence following high-level discussions held in N’Djamena on September 16, 2026.
Chad’s Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Digitalisation, Haliki Choua Mahamat, and Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, led the discussions, bringing together experts from both countries to identify opportunities for collaboration in digital infrastructure and emerging technologies.
A key focus was regional fibre-optic connectivity through the BRIDGE project. Chad sees the initiative as an opportunity to establish fibre connectivity to international networks available through Lagos, potentially strengthening network resilience, expanding broadband access and supporting regional digital and economic integration.
The discussions also covered the digitalisation of government services, artificial intelligence, innovation and research, alongside opportunities to strengthen digital infrastructure links between the two countries.
Mahamat said Chad is interested in learning from Nigeria’s experience in technology, innovation and digital entrepreneurship and adapting relevant approaches to accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
Artificial intelligence was another major area of interest, with Chad exploring institutional and technical cooperation around the African Tongues and Languages at Scale initiative. The discussions also considered opportunities to develop national capabilities in AI and robotics while promoting academic and scientific mobility.
Nigeria expressed willingness to support Chad in developing digital infrastructure, with Tijani highlighting potential collaboration in terrestrial and satellite connectivity, regulation and cybersecurity.
Experts from both countries presented existing infrastructure, potential areas of cooperation and possible interventions. The talks concluded with the two ministers initialling a final communiqué establishing a framework for further cooperation.
The discussions reflect growing efforts to strengthen cross-border digital infrastructure and technology collaboration in Africa, particularly in connectivity, AI, digital government and innovation.
