Algeria’s Minister of Public Works and Basic Infrastructure, Abdelkader Djellaoui, recently concluded a significant two-day working visit to the Republic of Chad. Leading a high-level delegation, the minister’s agenda focused on exploring practical avenues for implementing joint infrastructure initiatives, with particular emphasis on the vital Trans-Saharan Road project.

This important diplomatic engagement directly aligns with directives issued by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. It also builds upon discussions held during the recent visit of the Chadian President to Algeria, reflecting a shared commitment to injecting a tangible and pragmatic dimension into bilateral cooperation, ultimately serving the developmental aspirations of both nations.

Minister Djellaoui, accompanied by Abed Hallouz, Director General of the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development (AICA), arrived in N’Djamena on Wednesday evening. They were officially welcomed at Hassan Djamous International Airport by Chad’s Minister of Infrastructure, Disenclavement, and Road Maintenance, Amir Idriss Kourda, alongside several other Chadian dignitaries.

The Algerian delegation comprised over 14 experts and engineers, marking their second visit to Chad to continue the technical assessments initiated during their previous trip. Notable members included the CEOs of “Cosider travaux publics” and the National Public Works Company (SNTP), as well as the Director General of the National Technical Control Body for Public Works (CTTP).

The public works sector stands as a cornerstone of cooperation between Algeria and Chad, recognized as a primary catalyst for economic integration. Algeria maintains a strong interest in the Trans-Saharan Road project, viewing it as a strategic artery that will sustainably link the economies of both countries and the broader region. Consequently, this visit specifically centered on the concrete realization of two critical sections of the Trans-Saharan Road situated within Chadian territory, which represent essential links in this ambitious continental network.

Leveraging the extensive expertise its national companies have garnered in constructing major road infrastructure, particularly in challenging Saharan environments, Algeria is committed to contributing its technical capabilities to this project. This collaborative effort is poised to trigger a significant transformation and energize regional trade dynamics.

Expectations are high that this visit will yield concrete outcomes, substantially reinforcing Algerian-Chadian cooperation across the vital domains of infrastructure and public works.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst