Chad’s CONITE launches “blessed stores” to address food security
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In Chad, the National Council of Chadian Importers, Investors, Industrialists and Exporters (CONITE) responded to a call from President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno by reactivating its “Blessed Stores” program to improve food security.
CONITE announced the initiative following concerns about potential famine linked to poor rainfall during the current agricultural season. The organization stated it is fully prepared to address the situation and ensure there will be no food shortages across the country.
To stabilize prices and protect Chadians’ purchasing power, CONITE plans to implement five key strategies through the “Blessed Stores” (Al Dakaakin Al Moubaraka). These include strict price controls on essential goods like rice, maize, and oil, passing on tax benefits to consumers, suspending food exports, ensuring affordable pricing for all households, and establishing a network of 1,000 stores in N'Djamena and the 22 regions affected by drought.
CONITE also introduced the “Maréchal Price” concept, maintaining very low prices nationwide, to create a preferential pricing system for commonly purchased products. The organization is currently finalizing an agreement with the Chadian government to formally launch the “Blessed Stores” and the “Maréchal Price,” demonstrating the private sector’s commitment to serving as a socio-economic safeguard for the nation.
