Chad courts Russian investors as Moscow offers cybersecurity and digital expertise

Chad has invited Russian investors to explore opportunities in its digital sector following talks in Moscow on cooperation in cybersecurity, public-service digitisation and technology training.

• Chad has invited Russian investors to explore opportunities in its digital sector.
• Officials discussed public-service digitisation, cybersecurity and digital skills training.
• Russia also sought Chad’s support for its candidacies at the International Telecommunication Union.
• The ministry’s statement announced no signed agreement, investment value or project timetable.

The discussions brought together Chad’s Secretary of State for Telecommunications, the Digital Economy and Digitalisation, Ibangolo Manga Abel Maïna, and Russia’s Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, Bella Cherkesova.

Cherkesova outlined areas in which Russia could share expertise with Chad, including moving government services online, strengthening cybersecurity and training people for digital occupations.

The Chadian official reaffirmed his government’s commitment to developing human capital and encouraged Russian investors to take advantage of opportunities in the country’s market.

According to a statement from Chad’s Ministry of Posts and Digital Economy⁠, the meeting formed part of the country’s efforts to diversify its international partnerships. The statement described intentions to strengthen cooperation but did not announce a signed agreement, committed funding or specific investment projects.

The talks took place during the second Global Digital Forum in Moscow. The event’s official website lists its dates as 8–10 October 2026 and identifies Cherkesova as a Russian deputy minister. Chad’s delegation also included its ambassador to Russia, Mahamoud Adam Bechir, according to the ministry.

Cherkesova raised the need to reform governance at the International Telecommunication Union and sought Chad’s support for Russia’s candidacies for decision-making positions within the institution, the ministry said.

During other forum sessions, the Chadian delegation discussed digital sovereignty, including connectivity, the use of national data, skills training and digital literacy. Artificial intelligence regulation and the preservation of state sovereignty were also on the agenda.

The delegation additionally participated in discussions on children’s safety online, where the secretary of state called for coordinated action and protection mechanisms to limit their exposure to digital risks.

For Chad, the proposed cooperation touches priorities already reflected in its broader digital development programme.

In September 2024, the World Bank approved a $92.2 million International Development Association grant to expand affordable, resilient broadband connectivity and strengthen the government’s capacity to deliver services digitally.

The five-year Chad Digital Transformation Project aims to extend broadband access to more than 4.5 million people in rural areas and enable more than two million people to use supported public digital platforms.

It also targets digital training for about 40,000 beneficiaries, including at least 25,000 women and girls. These are project targets rather than confirmed results.