Foreign trade figures of Chad

Foreign Trade in Figures

The country is relatively open to foreign trade, which accounts for 92% of GDP (World Bank, latest available). Chad has adopted the common external tariffs of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) and the Community of Sahel and Sahara States (CEN-SAD). It has also been a member of the WTO since 1996. Despite free trade between CEMAC countries, trade within the area is low due to non-tariff barriers and frequent border closures hindering trade. Crude petroleum is by far the main export (69.3% of the total in 2023), followed by gold (25.5%), other oily seeds (3.9%), insect resins (0.6%), and raw cotton (0.3%), resulting in a non-diversified export base. On the other hand, imports are led by jewellery (5.9%), broadcasting equipment (4.5%), packaged medicaments (4.0%), cars (3.4%), and refined petroleum (3.2% - data by OEC for 2023).

In terms of exports, the main partners in 2023 were the United Arab Emirates (25.5%), China (18.9%), Germany (17.2%), the Netherlands (12.5%), and France (10.2%); with imports coming chiefly from China (28.0%), the United Arab Emirates (22.7%), Turkey (9.6%), France (8.8%), and India (4.9% - data by OEC).

The trade balance is heavily dependent on oil, which generally accounts for around three-quarters of exports. According to the WTO, imports of goods amounted to USD 2.2 billion in 2023, while exports reached USD 3.7, supported by higher oil prices. The country is a net service importer (USD 2.3 billion in imports in 2023, vs. USD 266 million in exports). As per the World Bank, the country’s trade balance was estimated to be positive by 4.6% of GDP (from +8.9% one year earlier).