The latest Women, Business and the Law 2026 report highlights a complex picture regarding the equality of economic rights for women across Africa. While some nations demonstrate considerable progress, Chad finds itself lagging behind.

Securing the 36th position among 54 African economies, Chad achieved a score of 51.40 out of a possible 100. This places the nation just behind Burundi, which sits at 35th with 52.68 points, and marginally ahead of Botswana and Nigeria, both tied at 37th with 51.10 points. Consequently, Chad remains firmly within the latter half of the continental standings, distant from the top performers.

Mauritius leads the continent, boasting an impressive 82.30 points. Togo has made a significant leap, capturing the second spot with 79.33 points, closely followed by Côte d’Ivoire at third with 78.25 points. Zambia and South Africa also feature prominently among the top achievers. These strong results are largely attributed to proactive legislative changes targeting areas such as women’s mobility, employment opportunities, marital rights, and entrepreneurial ventures.

Despite a score of 51.40 points, Chad’s performance falls below both the average for Africa and the global benchmark, each estimated around 67 points out of 100. However, a positive development was observed in the security sector, marked by the successful implementation of new legislation designed to combat sexual harassment in public spaces.

Nevertheless, numerous deficiencies persist, particularly concerning access to credit, safeguarding against workplace discrimination, parental rights, and the formal recognition of property and inheritance rights. These systemic weaknesses impede the economic engagement of Chadian women, who, despite constituting a majority of the active workforce, especially within the agricultural and informal sectors, face significant barriers.

The analysis further underscores a substantial disparity across Africa between the promulgation of laws and their actual enforcement. Globally, only half of all legislation intended to promote equality is effectively put into practice.

For Chad, this assessment serves as both a critical diagnosis and an urgent call to action. Implementing targeted reforms focusing on property rights, enhancing access to financial resources, and reinforcing protection against violence could significantly improve the standing of women and foster more inclusive economic growth throughout the nation.