On Monday, Chad and Algeria officially broke ground on a 40-megawatt power station in N’Djamena, entirely funded by Algiers. The facility, to be built by Sonelgaz International, is expected to enhance Chad’s electricity generation capacity and deepen bilateral ties. This comes just days after Algeria inaugurated an identical project in Niger.
Chadian Prime Minister Allah-Maye Halina and his Algerian counterpart Sifi Ghrieb presided over the groundbreaking ceremony. The plant, named the ‘Algerian-Chadian Solidarity Power Station’, will be constructed by Sonelgaz International, a subsidiary of the Algerian state-owned energy group. The project aims to address Chad’s energy deficit, where demand outpaces supply. Accompanying Ghrieb were key officials including Mohamed Arkab, Minister of Hydrocarbons, and Mourad Adjal, Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, along with executives from several Algerian state enterprises. Algerian authorities described the initiative as a gesture of cooperation from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to strengthen bilateral relations.
Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Ghrieb underscored Algeria’s commitment to tangible projects that directly impact communities. ‘This power station reflects Algeria’s belief that effective African cooperation can generate shared development through concrete initiatives with a direct impact on people’s lives,’ he stated. He also highlighted ‘active solidarity, productive investments, and wealth-creating partnerships in service of the people.’ Energy is emerging as a central pillar of Algeria’s economic engagement in the Sahel. On June 3, an identical 40 MW plant financed by Algeria and built by Sonelgaz International was inaugurated in Niger.
Beyond energy, the two delegations discussed a range of continental projects, including the trans-Saharan highway, fiber optic networks, and improved air and logistics connections to boost regional trade. On security matters, Algiers and N’Djamena reiterated their commitment to closer diplomatic coordination on Sahel and African issues, emphasizing African-led solutions and respect for state sovereignty.
Since establishing its Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development in 2020 — endowed with a reported $1 billion budget — Algeria has significantly expanded its financing of infrastructure, energy projects, and economic initiatives in various African countries.
