With the spotlight on Chad’s ambitious Chad Connexion 2030 plan, Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, delivered one of the most compelling speeches of the Abu Dhabi development roundtable this week. Representing President Abdourahamane Tchiani, he praised Chad’s bold reform agenda and underscored a shared Sahelian vision built on stability, resilience, and prosperity.
A Message of Brotherhood and Opportunity
Speaking before investors and international partners, Mr. Zeine highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and human ties binding the two nations. He described Chad not merely as a neighbor, but as a “pillar of regional stability in a complex subregion.” Supporting Chad, he said, means investing in the stability of the entire Sahel.
His remarks struck a chord among participants. They showcased both his economic expertise and his long-standing familiarity with regional development. The Prime Minister, a seasoned economist and former African Development Bank official, drew applause for his clarity and conviction.
Chad’s Potential and Regional Integration
Mr. Zeine outlined Chad’s vast potential — from oil and gold to lithium, uranium, and arable land spanning nearly 40 million hectares. With smart investments, he argued, Chad could become a driving force for food security, energy, and trade in Central Africa.
He compared Chad’s prospects to the rapid transformation of the United Arab Emirates, suggesting that “ambition backed by reforms can turn deserts into engines of growth.” He also emphasized the importance of digital integration through the regional fiber-optic backbone linking Chad and Niger — a “true digital highway” connecting Niamey and N’Djamena.
A Call for Regional Cooperation
The Nigerien leader further noted that economic integration must go hand in hand with stability. He saluted Chad’s leadership in peacekeeping, its hospitality toward refugees, and its role as a security anchor in the Sahel.
“The future of our nations is intertwined,” he declared. “Helping Chad is helping Niger.”
Shared Goals, Shared Growth
Looking ahead, Mr. Zeine reaffirmed Niger’s commitment to strengthening cooperation under the Tchad Connexion 2030framework. He praised the relationship between President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno and President Abdourahamane Tchiani as a model of solidarity and South–South partnership.
He also reassured investors of Chad’s business potential, citing recent reforms, the single-window system for investment, and a more open, transparent environment for trade.
“Chad’s progress,” he concluded, “is the Sahel’s progress.”
