# France-Chad economic and defense cooperation > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/france-chad-economic-cooperation-and-development > Updated: 2026-10-15T05:54:05.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 4. France and Chad are working to redefine their bilateral relationship through economic and defense cooperation following the end of their military partnership in late 2024. In September 2026, the France-Chad Business Forum was held in Paris, involving approximately 250 companies and officials. The forum focused on sectors such as agriculture, energy, and extractive industries, with an emphasis on mobilizing private capital for Chad’s ‘Tchad Connexion 2030’ national development plan. While French companies continue to operate in agribusiness, construction, and logistics, investment levels have seen a decline from 111 million euros in 2019 to 48 million euros in 2024. To counter this, the Chadian government is implementing reforms including a new labor code, tax exemptions, and the digitalization of state services. On October 13, 2026, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace to formalize a new direction for bilateral relations. Following the withdrawal of French troops in early 2025, the two nations signed a new declaration of intent to structure defense cooperation. This new framework shifts away from a permanent military presence toward a model centered on training, expertise, industry, and defense technologies. The objective is to enhance the operational capacities of the Chadian armed forces while respecting N’Djamena’s demand for strategic autonomy. The agreement does not include the return of French military bases or permanent troop deployments, but aims to address regional security concerns in the Sahel and the Lake Chad basin. Defense ministers from both nations have also signed a declaration of intent to restart dialogue, emphasizing technical cooperation, logistics, and intelligence amid regional instability and the impact of the war in Sudan. ## Claims - President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno and President Emmanuel Macron met at the Élysée Palace on October 13, 2026. (reported by 8 sources) - Chad terminated its defense cooperation agreement with France on November 28, 2024. (reported by 8 sources) - The final French soldiers left Chad on January 31, 2025. (reported by 7 sources) - The defense ministers of France and Chad signed a declaration of intent to structure defense cooperation. (reported by 4 sources) - The new defense cooperation focuses on training, expertise, industry, and defense technologies. (reported by 4 sources) - The bilateral discussions include economic cooperation, regional security, and international issues. (reported by 4 sources) - The agreement does not establish a permanent military presence or the return of French troops to Chad. (reported by 3 sources) - This is the third meeting between President Macron and President Déby since January 2026. (reported by 1 source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-15: France and Chad renew military and defense cooperation France and Chad have signed a declaration of intent to renew military and defense cooperation following a high-level meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in Paris. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-and-chad-renew-military-and-defense-cooperation ### 2026-10-13: Chad and France redefine defense cooperation in Paris President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno and Emmanuel Macron met in Paris to sign a new defense cooperation declaration, focusing on training and technology rather than permanent military presence in Chad. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chads-deby-meets-macron-in-paris-to-rebuild-diplomatic-ties ### 2026-10-04: Chad and France seek economic ties to redefine bilateral relations Chad and France are shifting their relationship from military cooperation to economic partnership, driven by the ‘Tchad Connexion 2030’ plan to modernize infrastructure and attract foreign investment. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chad-and-france-seek-economic-ties-to-redefine-bilateral-relations ### 2026-09-25: France-Chad Business Forum focuses on industrial growth The France-Chad Business Forum in Paris convened 250 companies to boost economic cooperation, focusing on infrastructure, energy, and local industrial transformation of Chadian mineral resources. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-chad-business-forum-focuses-on-industrial-growth --- Cite as: France-Chad economic and defense cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/france-chad-economic-cooperation-and-development