AGP Executive Report

France–Chad Ties: President Emmanuel Macron and Mahamat Idriss Deby agreed to renew defence cooperation, including training, technology and industry—an opening for practical collaboration after French forces left Chad in 2024. Development Finance: Chad and the Islamic Development Bank discussed financing for transport, water, agriculture, energy and other priorities, building on the Chad Connection 2030 vision. CFA Coins: Five older CEMAC coin series lose legal-tender status on November 1. Holders can exchange them through October 31, 2027, with banks and microfinance institutions taking part until July 31; newer 2006 and 2024 coins remain valid. Regional Trade: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui route, expanding connections alongside its Douala–N’Djamena flights and aiming to boost trade. Reserve Strategy: BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within CEMAC, but has yet to disclose purchase volumes, funding or a start date.

Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series will cease to be legal tender across CEMAC, including Chad, on November 1. Holders can exchange them until October 31, 2027: through banks, microfinance institutions and BEAC branches until July 31, then only at BEAC. Development Finance: Chad and the Islamic Development Bank discussed cooperation on transport, water, agriculture, energy and other priorities, including mobilizing concessional and blended financing under the Chad Connection 2030 vision. Regional Trade: Chadian carrier Royal Airways launched a Douala–Bangui route, adding to its Douala–N’Djamena service and aiming to improve regional travel and commercial links. Reserves: BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within CEMAC and diversify reserves; it has yet to disclose purchase targets, funding or a start date.

Development Finance: Chad and the Islamic Development Bank discussed financing projects in transport, water, agriculture, energy and other priority sectors, building on the Chad Connection 2030 vision. Talks in Bangkok also covered private-sector development, trade and investment. Regional Reserves: BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within CEMAC, aiming to diversify reserves; the bank has not yet announced purchase volumes or start dates. Currency Changes: Five older CFA franc coin series lose legal-tender status across CEMAC from November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though locations and arrangements are still pending. Air Links: Chadian carrier Royal Airways launched a Douala–Bangui route, expanding regional connections and aiming to support trade among Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic.

Regional Aviation: Chadian carrier Royal Airways launched Douala–Bangui flights on October 7, adding to its three weekly Douala–N’Djamena services and aiming to strengthen trade links across the three countries. Currency: From November 1, five older CFA franc coin series will lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including Chad. Holders will have a year to exchange them, though locations and procedures are still pending. Reserves: BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within CEMAC, a strategy adopted in N’Djamena to diversify reserves. The bank has not yet disclosed purchase volumes, funding or a start date.

Regional Aviation: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched Douala–Bangui flights, adding links between Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic that could support trade. The airline already flies three times a week between Douala and N’Djamena. Payments: Five older CFA franc coin series lost legal-tender status across CEMAC on November 1, as the bloc seeks to address persistent coin shortages. Holders have a year to exchange them, though locations and procedures are still to be announced. Reserves: BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within CEMAC and diversify its reserves. Its holdings stayed at about 6.28 tonnes in 2025; the bank has not yet disclosed purchase volumes or timing.

Regional Aviation: Chadian carrier Royal Airways opened its Douala–Bangui route on October 7, adding connections between Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic to support passenger travel and trade. The airline has carried nearly 4,000 passengers on its Cameroon services. Currency: Five older CFA-franc coin series are no longer legal tender across CEMAC, including Chad, since November 1. Holders have a year to exchange them, though BEAC has yet to announce where or how. Reserves: BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within CEMAC, aiming to diversify reserves. Its holdings stayed at about 6.28 tonnes in 2025, while their recorded value rose with gold prices.

Regional Aviation: Chadian carrier Royal Airways launched a Douala–Bangui service on October 7, adding links between Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic and aiming to support trade. The airline already flies three times a week between Douala and N’Djamena. CFA Francs: Five older coin series lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including Chad, on November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though locations and procedures are still to be announced. Central African Reserves: BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within CEMAC, at a meeting in N’Djamena. Its holdings remained at about 6.28 tonnes in 2025; the bank has yet to disclose purchase volumes or a start date.

Regional Trade: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui service, adding to its three weekly Douala–N’Djamena flights. The expanded network is intended to make travel and commercial exchanges easier across Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic. Regional Finance: BEAC approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold within CEMAC and diversify its reserves, at a board meeting in N’Djamena. The bank has not yet disclosed purchase volumes, funding or a start date. Payments: Five older CFA franc coin series will lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including Chad, on November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, but BEAC has yet to announce where or how exchanges can be made.

Currency: CEMAC will withdraw five older CFA franc coin series from legal tender on November 1, including in Chad. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, but exchange locations and procedures are still to be announced. Gold Reserves: The BEAC has approved a 2027–2030 plan to buy gold from within the region, following a decision made in N’Djamena. Its holdings were unchanged at 6.28 tonnes in 2025, while their recorded value rose 47.6% due to higher prices; the bank has not yet disclosed purchase volumes or a start date.

Investment Ties: Chad and France are rebuilding relations through business and diplomacy after Chad ended their defense pact in November 2024. Two Chadian ministers joined a Paris forum attended by 250 companies interested in investing in Chad, as both sides seek to broaden ties beyond security. Ambassador Amina Priscille Longoh said consultations are regular and the momentum is positive.

Investment and Trade: Chad and France are rebuilding ties around business after Chad ended their defense pact in November 2024. Two Chadian ministers attended a Paris forum last week with about 250 companies considering investment in Chad, as both sides seek to diversify a relationship long focused on security.

Investment Ties: Chad and France are working to shift relations beyond security, with two Chadian ministers attending a Paris business forum that drew 250 companies interested in investing in Chad. Both sides describe the diplomatic reset as positive, opening the way for broader economic cooperation.

Sahel Diplomacy & Trade: France and Chad are quietly resetting ties after the 2024 defense split, shifting from a heavy military footprint to business-led cooperation and a more discreet security partnership, with Chadian ministers in Paris for a forum bringing together 250 companies to invest and “demilitarize” the relationship. Investment Push: The renewed engagement is framed as a bid to diversify economic links and show President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno that France is serious about development, with both sides saying consultations are regular and improving. U.S. Foreign Service Appointments: In Washington, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Jim Risch opened a nominations hearing that includes William Flens as ambassador to the Republic of Chad, signaling continued diplomatic focus on Chad in the coming term.

Chad–France Reset: After N’Djamena ended its defense pact with Paris in late 2024 and France withdrew troops, both sides are now rebuilding ties through business forums and diplomacy, with a “demilitarize and diversify” message as French and Chadian officials court investment in sectors beyond security. Diplomatic Appointments: In Washington, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Jim Risch opened a nominations hearing that includes William Flens as ambassador to Chad, signaling continued focus on Chad in U.S. foreign policy. Regional Security Industry Watch: ADEX-2026 and Securex Caspian in Baku highlighted how defense and internal security procurement keeps shaping regional industry agendas, a reminder for Chad’s own security-linked economic planning.

Chad–France Reset: After the 2024 defense pact rupture and the pullout of French forces, both sides are rebuilding ties through business forums and a more discreet security posture, with two Chadian ministers in Paris for talks aimed at “demilitarizing” and diversifying the relationship. Diplomacy & Investment Push: The Paris business event brings together about 250 companies seeking to invest in Chad, as officials say consultations are now regular and focused on economic cooperation rather than military presence. U.S. Diplomatic Appointments: In Washington, U.S. Senator Jim Risch opened a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing that includes William Flens nominated as U.S. ambassador to Chad, signaling continued attention to Chad in U.S. regional diplomacy. Regional Security Trade Shows (Context): Azerbaijan’s ADEX-2026 and Securex Caspian exhibitions highlight ongoing defense and internal security industry activity across the region, a reminder of the broader market backdrop for security-linked procurement.

Energy & Power Deals: Qair announced the first disbursement of a €37.9m package to build hybrid solar plants with battery storage in Chad (Gassi and Lamadji), totaling 30 MWp and 8 MWh, under a framework with the Republic of Chad and a 20-year power purchase agreement with Tchadelec; funding includes loans from the AfDB and Proparco, grants via SEFA, and additional support from Proparco/AFD, backed by an €8m partial risk guarantee to strengthen payment security. Cross-Border Business & Security Reset: France and Chad are rebuilding ties after the 2024 defense pact rupture, shifting from military presence to business and a more discreet security partnership; two Chadian ministers met in Paris for a forum bringing 250 companies to invest, with the stated goal to “demilitarize” and diversify relations. Diplomatic Appointments: The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced nominations including William Flens as ambassador to the Republic of Chad, signaling continued attention to Chad in U.S. diplomatic staffing. Regional Trade/Industry Signals: Azerbaijan’s ADEX 2026 and Securex Caspian exhibitions opened in Baku, underscoring ongoing defense and internal security industry activity that can shape regional procurement and partnerships.