A significant step was taken this Friday, May 23, 2025, in N’Djamena, marking a decisive turning point in the logistics cooperation between Chad and Equatorial Guinea. Mr. Honorata Evita Oma, Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications, and Artificial Intelligence, held a productive working session with his Chadian counterpart, Ms. Fatima Goukouni Weddeye, Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation, and National Meteorology. This bilateral meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at N’Djamena, was crucial for monitoring the implementation of the Convention signed on December 13, 2024, concerning the transit of goods to and from Chad via Equatorial Guinean ports.
Concrete Progress and Enhanced Solidarity
The meeting, expanded to include members of both delegations, revealed notable progress in the convention’s implementation. The joint monitoring and evaluation committee, co-chaired by the Secretaries General of both ministries, presented a promising progress report.
The highlight of this meeting was the official announcement by the Equatorial Guinean minister of the attribution of a 30-hectare space at the Port of Bata to the Republic of Chad. This area will be specifically dedicated to handling Chadian goods, a gesture welcomed by the Chadian side as a strong signal of commitment and solidarity. Mr. Honorata Evita Oma also reiterated his government’s willingness to offer further advantages and facilities to Chadian economic operators, with the ambition of making Equatorial Guinean ports a true strategic gateway for Chadian trade.
A Major Axis of Economic Sovereignty for Chad
For her part, Minister Fatima Goukouni Weddeye expressed the deep gratitude of the highest Chadian authorities. She emphasized the importance of this cooperation, which is fully in line with Chad’s strategy to diversify its logistics corridors, a major axis of its economic sovereignty. The Minister praised Equatorial Guinea’s remarkable openness and efforts, while calling for the removal of remaining obstacles to optimize this new corridor.
The Challenge of Transit via Cameroon: Towards a Sub-Regional Solution
A major point of concern raised by the Chadian delegation involves the transit through Cameroonian territory for goods coming from or going to Equatorial Guinean ports. This issue is deemed crucial by both parties. As Cameroon is a member of CEMAC and benefits from a free movement of goods and persons treaty, both countries believe that transit through its territory should respect the commitments made by the Heads of State in this treaty.
To this end, the two ministers did not rule out engaging in discussions with their Cameroonian counterpart to ensure smooth, secure transit that complies with the principles of sub-regional integration.
This historic meeting between the Ministers of Transport of Chad and Equatorial Guinea marks a decisive step towards the operationalization of a new strategic logistics corridor that promises to further open up Chad and stimulate its foreign trade.
