Egypt, Chad Hold High-Level Talks to Advance Infrastructure, Livestock Cooperation

Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir held extensive talks in Cairo with senior Chadian officials to deepen cooperation in infrastructure, transport, logistics and livestock development. 

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Egypt–Chad Joint Committee and included Chad’s Minister of Infrastructure, De-Isolation and Road Maintenance Amir Idriss, Minister of Livestock and Animal Production Abdelrahim Al-Tayeb, and the Director-General of the National Agency for Investment and Exports, in the presence of senior Egyptian transport officials.

During the meeting, the Egyptian deputy prime minister highlighted the strong relations between the two countries, noting that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has directed the government to strengthen cooperation with African partners, including Chad. He affirmed that Egyptian companies with long-standing experience in infrastructure, transport and industrial zones are ready to implement major development projects in Chad, pointing to the successful ongoing work of Arab Contractors in the country as evidence of Egyptian firms’ capability to deliver high-quality projects across Africa.

Chad’s Minister of Infrastructure expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s rapid development, describing the Egyptian model as a leading example in the region. He said the Chadian government attaches great importance to cooperation with Egypt, particularly in transport and road development, and stressed that the planned Egypt–Chad land route will serve as a strategic economic bridge for future generations.

Officials reviewed the progress of the 2,570-kilometre land corridor linking Egypt to Chad through Libya. Construction of the 370-kilometre East Oweinat–Kufra road, representing the project’s section inside Egypt, has reached 15 percent completion. Arab Contractors has signed an agreement with Libya to prepare studies for the 390-kilometre stretch extending from the Egyptian–Libyan border to Libya’s southern frontier. The company has also signed two memoranda of understanding with the Chadian government to build the road from the Libya–Chad border to Umm Jaras and from there to Abéché, where surveying and earthworks are already underway. The remaining 880-kilometre road from Abéché to N’Djamena is currently operational and in good condition. Egypt is also constructing the new Kufra land port on its border with Libya to facilitate trade with Chad and provide the country with its shortest route to the Mediterranean.

The two sides also explored opportunities to expand cooperation in livestock and agro-industrial projects. The Egyptian minister outlined plans for joint automated slaughterhouses, meat-processing facilities, dairy and cheese production plants, leather-processing industries, veterinary medicine manufacturing and agricultural-processing projects, including facilities for fodder, grain storage and processing of sesame, peanuts and gum arabic. Chad’s Minister of Livestock welcomed the proposals, noting that his country possesses vast herds of cattle, camels and sheep, and said the partnership with Egypt would create significant economic value for both sides.

The Egyptian deputy prime minister said cooperation will be supported by a permanent joint technical committee to follow up on the land-route project and overcome implementation challenges. He added that Egypt aims to expand the role of its companies in carrying out additional infrastructure projects in Chad, while also launching training programs for Chadian engineers and technicians in road engineering, transport and project management.