Africa by Africans: eight framework agreements between Chad and Tunisia

Presidents Idriss Deby Itno of the Republic of Chad and Moncef Marzouki of the Republic of Tunisia closed the Chad-Tunisia economic forum in N’Djamena by signing eight framework agreements aimed at deepening relations between the two countries.

As could be seen in the Chadian capital, the two states no longer hide their intention to strengthen ties in water, trade, education, agriculture, tourism and crafts. These agreements mark an important step in their economic relations and cover both the public and private sectors.

For the public sector, agreements were signed on education, agriculture, and tourism and crafts. For the private sector, five agreements and conventions were signed. Under the watchful eye of the two heads of state, their close aides signed:

• a convention between Tunisia’s national water company (SONEDE) and the Chadian water company (STE);
• a protocol between Tunisia’s Export Promotion Centre (CEPEX) and Chad’s National Investment and Export Agency (ANIE);
• an agreement between the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) and Chad’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture, Mines and Crafts (CCIAMA);
• an agreement between the Tunisian export credit insurer (COTUNACE) and CCIAMA;
• and a memorandum of understanding between the CNPT and the Confederation of Citizen Enterprises of Tunisia.

That makes exactly eight framework agreements now binding Chad and Tunisia. At N’Djamena’s 15 January Palace, where the agreements were signed, the two heads of state formally declared that their action is rooted in an approach of Africa developing Africa, and in effective South-South cooperation.

For the Tunisian head of state, who led a delegation of around a hundred business people, these agreements reflect both countries’ clear will to strengthen their relations in a rapidly changing Africa. According to Moncef Marzouki, investing in Chad is Tunisia’s response to needs expressed across many sectors by a country undergoing profound change. “Energy, water, construction, agriculture and livestock are all investment opportunities that Chad offers,” he said.

The forthcoming creation of a Chadian-Tunisian business council will give much more substance to this South-South cooperation, which both sides already describe as win-win. The council will be tasked with developing economic exchanges between the two countries and will look into several issues, including an air link between Chad and Tunisia.

Moïse Aignan, special correspondent