Algerian companies are about to complete the missing links in Chad to the 4,500 kilometer long Trans Sahara Highway linking Algeria, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Tunisia. This will connect the Mediterranean ports of Algeria and Tunisia with Nigeria’s Lagos Port on the Atlantic. The project also includes thousands of kilometers of cable for the “Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Backbone,” aimed at boosting high-speed telecommunications across the region, according to media accounts. Once completed, a powerful economic corridor integrating the landlocked Sahel states with both the Atlantic and Mediterranean will be created.
An Algerian technical team from the Algerian state owned National Company of Public Works (SNTP), has recently concluded its third mission to Chad to finalize technical and logistical preparations for the Trans-Saharan Road project. Two uncompleted sections, totaling close to 200 kilometers, will link N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, to the network.
The deployment is being carried out under the instructions of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and follows the recent signing of agreements between Algeria and Chad to accelerate cooperation in developing infrastructure, including the building of a 40 MW power plant. It is also part of several infrastructure initiatives launched in recent months by Algeria to integrate the North African states with those of the Sahel. The projects include completing the section of the Trans Sahel Gas Pipeline running through Niger which will transport gas from Nigeria to the Mediterranean and a Trans-Sahara railway project linking the Algiers with the border of Niger, as well as energy projects.
