Written by: Badr Ahmed

In a move reflecting the Chadian government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the country’s attractiveness to foreign investment and diversify national income sources, the Ambassador of the Republic of Chad to India, Eljema Bada Malo, paid a working visit to the Indian city of Jaipur, where she held a series of meetings with officials of the Manorama Group, one of the world’s leading companies in the collection, processing and marketing of shea nuts and shea butter.

This visit comes within the framework of promoting the national development plan Chad Connection 2030, which aims to stimulate sustainable economic growth and develop promising productive sectors, most notably the shea sector, which represents one of the important natural resources in Chad.

Chad attracts the attention of Indian investors

During the visit, the Chadian ambassador was briefed on the various facilities and installations of the Indian group, and listened to a detailed presentation about the company’s accumulated experience in developing value chains related to shea products, starting from collection and storage, through manufacturing and processing, up to marketing and exporting to global markets.

The discussions between the two sides focused on exploring opportunities to establish a strategic partnership aimed at developing the shea sector in Chad, by enhancing collection, processing and marketing operations, which would contribute to raising the added value of the product locally, improving the income of rural communities, creating new job opportunities, as well as increasing national exports.

Officials from the Manorama Group expressed clear interest in the investment opportunities available in Chad, emphasizing their desire to explore the significant potential of the shea sector in the country. They also announced their intention to organize a business mission to Chad in early July to gain firsthand knowledge of the business environment and available investment opportunities.

The upcoming mission is expected to hold meetings with a number of relevant national institutions, most notably the National Investment and Export Agency, as well as various stakeholders in the shea value chain, with the aim of exploring cooperation prospects and building practical and sustainable partnerships.

Observers believe that this step could represent the beginning of a new phase in the development of the Chadian shea sector, enhancing its contribution to the national economy and supporting the economic development goals that the government seeks to achieve by 2030.