21 July 2025
The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (ARCEP) in Chad is urging telecom operators to shift towards solar energy solutions to power their networks.
This initiative aims to improve the resilience of telecom infrastructure, as electricity supply issues are a major contributor to poor service quality across the country.
According to Choua Haliki, Director General of ARCEP, “many sites rely on generators fuelled by diesel, which is costly and hard to supply, especially in remote areas where power shortages are common,” she explained.
The current fuel shortages exacerbate these challenges, making it difficult to maintain consistent network services.
To address this, ARCEP recommends a transition to hybrid energy models that combine generators with solar panels, even in a country where grid access remains limited. According to the ‘Energy Progress Report 2023’ by the World Bank and the International Energy Agency, Chad’s electrification rate stands at just 12%, with frequent power outages further impacting service delivery.
The GSMA notes that energy challenges are a significant vulnerability for African telecom operators, involving frequent outages, high operational costs, and limited access to renewable energy sources. Heavy reliance on diesel results in high costs and operational inefficiencies, emphasizing the need for alternative solutions like solar power, which offers clean, locally available, and renewable energy. Chad has considerable solar potential, with an average solar radiation of 4.5 to 6.5 kWh/m²/day, according to the African Development Bank.
However, the GSMA also cautions that solar strategies face limitations, such as sunlight availability — generally 10 to 12 hours daily, weather-dependent factors, and the costs associated with installation and maintenance.
Beyond energy issues, ARCEP’s Choua Haliki pointed out that international connectivity also hampers telecom quality in Chad. As a landlocked country relying solely on Cameroon’s network, Chad faces disruptions caused by vandalism of transmission infrastructure and deteriorating cross-border links, further impacting service reliability.
