Three agreements signed at SEMICA Chad 2026: Algeria and Chad strengthen their cooperation

The signing ceremony took place under the supervision of the Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, and the Chadian Minister of Petroleum, Mines, and Geology, Ndolenodji Alixe Naïmbaye, in the presence of the CEOs of the Sonatrach Group, Noureddine Daoudi, and Naftal, Djamel Cherdoud, and the Director General of the Algerian Petroleum Institute (IAP), Mohamed Khodja, as well as the Algerian Ambassador to Chad and executives and officials from both countries.

The first agreement concerns a memorandum of understanding between the Sonatrach Group and the Chad Hydrocarbons Company (SHT), aimed at "establishing a general framework for cooperation between the two parties in the fields of hydrocarbons, particularly in the exploration, development, production, transport, and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources, as well as the exchange of expertise and technical knowledge, the strengthening of training and human capacity development, thereby contributing to the development of the hydrocarbon sector in Chad," the statement said.

The memorandum also provides for the examination of opportunities for future partnership and the development of projects of mutual interest, with an emphasis on technology transfer and the exchange of technical and organizational expertise, while drawing on Algeria's pioneering experience in the management and organization of the hydrocarbons sector, according to the same press release.

For its part, the IAP has signed an agreement with Chad's Ministry of Petroleum, Mines, and Geology, aimed at "establishing a comprehensive and sustainable framework for cooperation in the field of training, capacity building, and human resources development, in line with the needs of the hydrocarbon sector, while enabling Chad's ministry executives and technicians to benefit from Algerian expertise in the various specialties of the hydrocarbon value chain, from upstream to downstream," according to the press release.

The IAP has also signed another agreement with the National Higher Institute of Petroleum of Chad (INSPEM), with the aim of "developing cooperation in the areas of training for trainers, continuing education, student exchanges, and the sharing of expertise, in addition to developing joint scientific research programs in the field of hydrocarbons, organizing scientific meetings and internships, and launching master's programs and research laboratories, thereby contributing to raising the scientific and technical qualifications of human resources."

The agreement also provides for the promotion of exchanges of visits between the heads and teachers of the two institutions, the hosting of Chadian researchers within Sonatrach's training and research structures, as well as the exchange of teaching resources, scientific support and joint work within the framework of projects and programs of common interest, the statement added.

The IAP has also signed another agreement with the National Higher Institute of Petroleum of Chad (INSPEM), with the aim of "developing cooperation in the areas of training for trainers, continuing education, student exchanges, and the sharing of expertise, in addition to developing joint scientific research programs in the field of hydrocarbons, organizing scientific meetings and internships, and launching master's programs and research laboratories, thereby contributing to raising the scientific and technical qualifications of human resources."

The agreement also provides for the promotion of exchanges of visits between the heads and teachers of the two institutions, the hosting of Chadian researchers within Sonatrach's training and research structures, as well as the exchange of teaching resources, scientific support and joint work within the framework of projects and programs of common interest, the statement added.

He also highlighted the importance of the two agreements signed by the IAP, which enshrine the principle of solidarity and sharing of expertise, emphasizing “the pivotal role played by the IAP as an African centre of excellence in the fields of training and knowledge transfer.”

For her part, the Chadian minister praised the level of cooperation with Algeria, stating that the agreements signed reflect “the common desire of both countries to raise their bilateral relations to higher levels of cooperation and effective partnership,” thereby contributing to strengthening energy security, achieving sustainable development, and supporting African integration in the hydrocarbons sector.