Chad: Despite efforts, Airtel network quality is not improving (ARCEP)
October 2nd 2025
The telecoms regulator recently launched an audit to verify operators’ compliance with their quality and coverage obligations set out in their specifications. Similar breaches had already led to a fine of 5 billion CFA francs in 2023.
Airtel Chad remains the operator offering the worst quality of service in the country, despite announced efforts. This was stated by Haliki Mahamat Choua, Director General of the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP), during a meeting with a delegation from the company on Monday, September 29, hosted by the Minister of Telecommunications, Boukar Michel
According to him, repeated visits by senior Airtel officials have not brought about any improvement in the quality of service or in the strengthening of equipment. Users continue to experience frequent disruptions, or even a complete lack of network service, both in the capital and in rural areas.
This comes just days after Airtel presented a 50 billion CFA franc (89.46 million US dollars) investment plan to the telecoms regulator at a working meeting to improve service quality. Scheduled to run until June 2026, the program includes strengthening microwave links, deploying new towers to expand coverage, developing fiber optics, and replacing the Ericsson core network with Huawei equipment.
During the meeting, the minister added that the operator’s investment promises should not remain mere slogans. He stated that the operator must ensure that Chadians experience an improvement before the end of the year. He particularly emphasized resolving the energy issue, identified as one of the sector’s main challenges. He instructed the company to turn to hybrid energy resources (thermal and solar) to ensure the proper functioning of transmission sites and provide optimal network coverage.
As a reminder, Airtel shares the national telecoms market with Moov Africa, a subsidiary of the Maroc Telecom Group. At the end of June 2025, Moov Africa reported 7.26 million subscribers and claimed the market leadership position with a 58% share. Based on this, it can be estimated that Airtel has approximately 5.26 million subscribers.
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