Chad bans grain exports and suspends new mining licenses

Chad has implemented emergency measures to address food shortages caused by severe heatwaves and drought. The government has issued a nationwide ban on the export of essential grains, including millet, yellow corn, rice, sorghum, and wheat, as well as cotton seeds. To mitigate the crisis, a decree from the Minister of Finance has exempted the import of wheat, corn, millet, rice, livestock feed, and agricultural equipment from customs duties and taxes.

The drought has significantly impacted agricultural and pastoral regions, particularly in the central, eastern, and northern parts of the country. Farmers and herders report destroyed crops and dried water sources, leading to weight loss in livestock and declining milk production.

In a separate regulatory move, the Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Geology, Fatima Haram Acyl, announced a suspension of all new mining prospecting authorizations across the country. This freeze on new exploration activity comes as the government seeks to increase control over its mineral sector and develop a new mining code. Gold has become a vital component of Chad’s economy, accounting for approximately 37% of its goods exports in 2023, following crude oil.