Chad, being a landlocked country, is nestled in the heart of Central Africa and is known for its rich cultural heritage and vast landscapes. One area, though, where it lags is in technology. Despite this, promising developments and room for growth lie ahead. This blog looks through the current landscape of technology in Chad, of what it struggles with, and of the opportunity that lies ahead.
CHAD, THE CURRENT TECHNOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE
The invasion of the internet and usage
Just 10% of the present-day population in Chad has been recorded using Internet within the country. The general cause is the prevalent high costing on connectivity, low infrastructure, and socio-economy basically based barriers. The highest case registered with internet usage is among the urban-based population in areas such as the capital city N’Djamena. The rural attracted very minimal usage.
Mobile phones are the major form of communication and are able to access the internet in Chad. The mobile penetration rate is a little higher than that of the internet, at about 45% throughout the country. Most of these, though, are basic cellular handsets, with a meager 3% proportion being equipped with smart technology for internet and advanced applications access.
v. ICT Infrastructure
Chad’s ICT infrastructure is underdeveloped. It is landlocked and hence, it does not have a fiber-optic network that is concentrated to ensure total connections in the country, and satellite connections are highly expensive to the internet. Lately, such a connection has been made more accessible as regional integration efforts are supported to ensure high capacity broadband.
The significant challenges that face tech development
High Cost
This situation makes the cost of internet access in Chad among the highest in the world. Competition among service providers is next to nil, and the importation of technology is very expensive. The high prices in turn prevent average Chadians from using internet services on a wider scale.
Poor infrastructure, especially in rural areas, seriously hampers the diffusion of technology. Less-developed road networks with low electricity supply make it more challenging to set up and maintain ICT infrastructure.
Regulatory Environment
The regulatory environment in Chad can turn out to be unfavorable and rather cumbersome on the part of technology businesses. Bureaucratic hurdles, inconsistent policies, and poor regulatory frameworks may impede investment and innovation in the technology sector.
Education and Skill Gap
The education system of Chad is the most challenging, with the most critical gap being low digital literacy and poor ICT skills. Poor accessibility to quality education, especially in rural areas, deprives many young Chadians the opportunity to acquire the relevant skills in a digital economy.
Opportunities and Positive Developments
Government Initiatives
The government of Chad has further recognized technology as a very vital component of nation-building. A measure towards upping its digitized infrastructure and enhancing internet penetration has been encouraged through a framework, the National ICT Strategy. Increasing digital literacy, ergo, will be important. The State is also further working out its regulatory environment to be conducive for industry.
Foreign governments and global entities are taking extensive initiatives to support the tech developments in Chad. The international organizations are joining forces with the World Bank and the African Development Bank, among others, to fund work related to infrastructure projects and the provision of technical assistance.
Mobile money services equate in Chad—basically, they allow the unbanked an important facility for financial operations. Service provider platforms have made facilities for the sending and receiving of money, payment of bills, among other financial services, easier.
Despite the hurdles they face, a tech start-up scene has blossomed. Many young entrepreneurs are turning to technology in offering solutions to local problems and in developing solutions that have the potential to disrupt markets. Tech hubs and incubators offer some form of support and essentially brew a culture of innovators.
The Road Ahead
The road to an IT-directed Chad remains long and winding, with many hurdles, but the growth and development prospects are high. Going beyond connectivity limitations for improvement in infrastructure, focusing on education, and development of skills are the ways in which Chad can use technology to drive economic growth and provide an improvement in the quality of life for its people.
Conclusion
Chad’s journey into the digital age has only just begun. The country faces significant infrastructural, affordability, and regulatory challenges, whereas ample opportunities are at vigilant disposal around the same. Government initiatives, international support, and the people’s resilience and creativity are key to un-locking technology’s potential in the landlocked Central African nation. With sustained effort and investment, Chad can build a more connected, innovative, and prosperous future.