Germany and Chad have maintained diplomatic relations since Chad gained political independence in 1960. Germany closely observed the political transition in Chad, which was completed in 2024/25 with the election of the Head of State and a National Assembly. The two countries’ governments have a shared interest in security, stability and economic development.

The war in Sudan has led to significant refugee flows to Chad and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis in the east of the country. Between March 2023 and September 2026, more than one million people fled to Chad from the Sudan. Since 2015, some 180,000 people, mainly women and children, have had to leave their homes in the Lake Chad region, and must survive in extremely harsh conditions.

Germany actively provides humanitarian assistance and uses other crisis management tools to help Chad deal with acute emergencies. Germany cooperates to this end with aid organisations such as the United Nations World Food Programme, UNHCR, UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The focus is on food security, the provision of water and healthcare, as well as humanitarian protection (especially for women and children).

Regional stabilisation projects place a particular emphasis on the Lake Chad region. The stabilisation concept has the aim of strengthening civil-military coordination and establishing cooperation between the riparian countries and the international community. A positive state presence is to be fostered in the conflict zones, to improve security and services for the local population, and to contain terrorist threats in the long term. The aim is also to strengthen civil society.

In the area of development policy, Germany provides bilateral support for Chad through regional projects, transitional development assistance and the special initiative Displaced Persons and Host Countries. The focus here is on strengthening resilience, increasing food security and access to energy, and improving the livelihoods of both the local population and those who have fled to or been displaced in Chad.

Germany also supports Chad through the European Union (EU) and the EU’s renewed approach to the Sahel region. Chad is a signatory of the Samoa Agreement with the EU, concluded on 15 November 2023.