Chad and Nigeria are strengthening bilateral cooperation in telecommunications, digital transformation and artificial intelligence following high-level discussions held in N’Djamena on September 16, 2026.
The talks were led by Chad’s Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Digitalisation, Haliki Choua Mahamat, and Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. Experts from both countries also participated in the discussions, which examined potential areas of collaboration involving digital infrastructure and emerging technologies.
Among the key issues discussed were regional fibre-optic connectivity under the BRIDGE project, the digitalisation of government services, artificial intelligence, innovation and research.
The meeting also considered ways to improve digital infrastructure connections between Chad and Nigeria.
Particular attention was given to the BRIDGE project, which Chad sees as an avenue for securing fibre-optic links to international networks accessible through Lagos. The Chadian ministry said deeper interconnection with Nigeria could strengthen network resilience, widen broadband availability and contribute to regional digital and economic integration.
Mahamat said Chad plans to draw lessons from Nigeria’s experience in technology, innovation and digital entrepreneurship, with the intention of adapting relevant approaches to speed up the country’s digital transformation.
Artificial intelligence also featured prominently in the discussions. Chad indicated an interest in pursuing institutional and technical cooperation through the African Tongues and Languages at Scale initiative.
The proposed collaboration is intended to help build national capacity in artificial intelligence and robotics while encouraging academic and scientific mobility.
Nigeria, meanwhile, indicated its readiness to assist Chad with digital infrastructure development. Tijani said Nigeria was prepared to work with Chad on terrestrial and satellite connectivity, regulation and cybersecurity.
The two sides also considered additional areas for the joint development of digital infrastructure.
During the meeting, experts from Chad and Nigeria presented information on existing digital infrastructure, possible areas of cooperation and potential interventions.
The discussions ended with Mahamat and Tijani initialling a final communiqué that sets out the framework for cooperation between the two countries.
Source: techafricanews
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