The Central Bank of Central African States (BEAC) conducted a five-day technical assistance mission in N'Djamena, Chad, from November 2 to 7, 2026. The training aimed to enhance the skills of Chad's public treasury personnel in issuing public titles and managing debt. The goal is to mobilize more resources while controlling costs. The training covered topics such as auction procedures, secondary market functioning, sovereign rating, and investor relations.
Chad's public treasury intends to improve its ability to negotiate loan terms, including interest rates, lenders, and conditions. The BEAC's mission focused on strengthening the capacity of teams responsible for market operations and improving the preparation of public title emissions. These are crucial factors in determining a country's ability to secure sustainable financing from lenders.
In the CEMAC region, countries have two primary instruments: short-term Treasury bills (BTA) with maturities of 13, 26, or 52 weeks, and long-term Treasury bonds (OTA) with maturities of at least two years. These instruments allow governments to mobilize available savings from banks and investors. However, mobilizing funds is not enough; the titles must also be able to circulate after emission, which is the role of the secondary market.
The secondary market's liquidity is essential in making these investments more attractive. In 2024, CEMAC countries mobilized 4,537 billion FCFA on this market through 418 auctions, according to the BEAC's annual report. The competition for attracting resources is significant, and Chad aims to improve its position in this market.
At the end of the mission, Béchir Daye, Director General of the Treasury and Public Accounting, and Zarha Moustpha Alifeï, Deputy National Director of the BEAC, praised the exchanges and called for the implementation of concrete actions. The actual test begins now, and Chad's ability to negotiate better loan terms and manage its debt effectively remains to be seen.
Improving debt management and negotiating skills could lead to less costly financing and more rigorous public debt management. The African Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI) recently held its 63rd Steering Committee meeting in N'Djamena, promising to strengthen control over borrowing. The impact of Chad's enhanced skills on its debt management and financing costs will be closely watched.
Chad's efforts to improve its public debt management and negotiate better loan terms on the regional market are ongoing. The country's ability to implement the recommendations from the BEAC's training and AFROSAI's guidance will be crucial in determining its success in managing its debt and securing sustainable financing.
Key points
- Chad's public treasury staff received training from the BEAC on improving debt management and negotiating better loan terms on the regional market.
- The training covered topics such as auction procedures, secondary market functioning, sovereign rating, and investor relations.
- Chad aims to improve its ability to negotiate loan terms and manage its debt effectively, potentially leading to less costly financing and more rigorous public debt management.
