N’Djamena, 16 June 2026 – In a move reinforcing bilateral ties, China has provided Chad with a significant donation of 1,770 tonnes of rice. The official handover ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu hotel, led by Minister of Social Action Zara Mahamat Issa.

A partnership built on solidarity

During the event, Minister Issa emphasised that the gesture goes beyond material aid. It reflects the genuine friendship and robust partnership between the two nations, rooted in mutual respect and support. Quoting the Chinese proverb, ‘In a calamity, a single grain of rice is worth an ounce of gold,’ she highlighted the aid’s importance for vulnerable populations, including displaced persons, refugees, and families affected by crises.

Ahmat Mahamat Kosseï, Director General of the National Food Security Office (ONASA), expressed deep gratitude for the timely donation, which he said will relieve struggling families. He noted that this assistance bolsters the Chadian government’s efforts, under President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, to combat food insecurity.

ONASA commits to transparent distribution

ONASA, tasked with managing the stock, pledged a transparent, efficient, and equitable distribution. Kosseï recalled that China has previously donated to ONASA, including 5,000 tonnes in 2014 and 2017, 5,966 tonnes in 2019, and various wheat and rice contributions in 2022 and 2025.

This latest delivery reaffirms the shared commitment of Chad and China to strengthen population resilience, contributing to social stability and sustainable development.

Chinese Ambassador to Chad, Wang Xining, stated that Chad has recently faced severe impacts from conflicts in neighbouring states, an influx of refugees, and extreme climate conditions, all straining local food security. ‘The Chinese government and people remain deeply supportive of Chad’s situation,’ he said.

‘That is why we provide cereals worth an average of nearly 2 billion CFA francs each year. Additionally, Chinese companies and our community actively engage in social responsibility,’ he added, noting support through equipment donations and local initiatives.

Ambassador Wang acknowledged that material aid alone cannot solve all problems. ‘We are fully aware that material assistance only addresses immediate emergencies. As the saying goes, it is better to teach someone to fish than to give them a fish.’ In this spirit, China sends agricultural technical missions to work alongside locals, testing high-yield crops and organising modern farming technology training.

He highlighted Chad’s exceptional assets: abundant water resources, sunshine, fertile land, and a hardworking population. ‘The potential for agricultural development is immense.’

This year marks a key step with the synergy of respective national development plans. It is also the year the Chinese government announced zero tariffs for all African countries with diplomatic relations with China, the ambassador explained. The ceremony concluded with a visit to the Chagoua FDAR warehouse in the 7th arrondissement of N’Djamena.