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Chad is preparing to transform its economic landscape by capitalizing on the Doba Oil Basin, which could yield up to 250,000 barrels per day and generate annual government revenues of $80–100 million, underpinning national development should wise management and investment follow exploration success
Chad's future is increasingly tied to the development of its Doba Oil Basin, a region that holds an estimated one billion barrels of oil and currently produces around 100,000 barrels per day. Plans are underway to scale up extraction to approximately 250,000 barrels per day, a level that could translate into $80–100 million in annual state revenue. This intensified production would feed through the existing Chad–Cameroon pipeline network, facilitating oil exports via Cameroon’s port and delivering a significant fiscal boost to N’Djamena.
Yet, Chad’s dependency on oil comes with perennial risks: exposure to global price volatility, concerns over transparent revenue management, and near-total dependence on a single resource. Historically, around 14.5 % of GDP and over 70 % of exports have been oil-derived While increased output offers a chance to diversify, concerns remain given Chad’s limited industrial capacity and the rural majority dependent on subsistence agriculture.
Ramping up production in the Doba Basin opens multiple avenues for private sector and international investors. Infrastructure investment such as expansion of processing, storage, and pipeline systems will be critical, providing opportunities for construction firms and energy service providers. Additionally, the multiplier effect of oil revenues can stimulate growth in downstream sectors: domestic refining (building on existing small-scale efforts), petrochemicals, logistics, and banking services tailored to the energy industry. There is also potential in establishing vocational training centers to build local capacity in oilfield services. Successful management of oil income could finance roads, healthcare, education, and renewable energy initiatives, fostering broader socio-economic development and reducing rural poverty. Finally, Chad can fulfill regional demand by exporting refined petroleum products to neighboring countries, addressing energy deficits across Central Africa and enhancing trade integration.
