A recent assessment reveals a varied landscape for gender economic equality across African nations, with some countries making notable strides while Chad continues to face considerable challenges. The findings, detailed in the Women, Business and the Law 2026 report, underscore the persistent disparities in women’s economic rights.
Chad ranks 36th among 54 African economies, achieving a score of 51.40 out of 100. This places the nation just behind Burundi, which holds the 35th position with 52.68 points, and slightly ahead of Botswana and Nigeria, both tied at 37th with 51.10 points. Chad’s standing firmly positions it within the lower half of the continental ranking, far from the top performers.
Mauritius leads the continent with an impressive 82.30 points. Togo has demonstrated remarkable progress, securing the second spot with 79.33 points, followed closely by Côte d’Ivoire in third place with 78.25 points. Zambia and South Africa also feature prominently among the leaders. Their strong performances are largely attributed to ambitious legislative reforms targeting areas such as mobility, employment, marriage, and entrepreneurship.
With its score of 51.40 points, Chad remains below both the African and global averages, which hover around 67 points out of 100. However, the report acknowledges a positive development in the realm of safety, stemming from the enactment of legislation designed to combat sexual harassment in public spaces.
Despite this progress, several critical deficiencies persist. These include limited access to credit, inadequate protection against discrimination in the workplace, challenges with parental rights, and insufficient recognition of property and inheritance rights. Such weaknesses significantly impede the economic participation of Chadian women, who constitute the majority of the active population, particularly within the agricultural and informal sectors.
The report also highlights a substantial gap between the adoption of laws and their effective implementation across Africa. Globally, only about 50% of laws intended to promote equality are genuinely put into practice.
For Chad, this evaluation serves as both a clear diagnosis of the current situation and a crucial call to action. Implementing targeted reforms focusing on property rights, enhancing access to finance, and strengthening protections against violence could significantly improve the conditions for women and foster more inclusive economic growth throughout the nation.