Women’s economic rights in africa: Chad ranks 36th out of 54 countries

The 2026 edition of the Women, Business and the Law report by the World Bank highlights uneven progress in economic gender equality across Africa. While some nations have made significant strides, Chad continues to lag behind in this critical area.

Chad’s Position in the Continental Ranking

Ranked 36th out of 54 African economies, Chad scores 51.40 points out of 100. It sits just behind Burundi (35th place, 52.68 points) and ahead of Botswana and Nigeria (tied at 37th place, 51.10 points). This places the country firmly in the lower half of the continental index, far from the leaders.

Top Performers and Key Reforms

The leaderboard is topped by Mauritius with 82.30 points. Togo stands out with a remarkable second-place finish at 79.33 points, followed closely by Côte d’Ivoire (78.25 points), Zambia, and South Africa. These nations owe their success to bold legislative reforms covering mobility, employment, marriage, and entrepreneurship.

Chad’s Challenges in Gender Equality

With a score of 51.40, Chad falls short of both the African (67/100) and global averages. The report does acknowledge a positive step forward: the adoption of legislation targeting sexual harassment in public spaces. However, persistent gaps remain in critical areas such as access to credit, workplace discrimination protections, parental rights, and property and inheritance rights. These shortcomings hinder the economic participation of Chadian women, who make up a majority of the workforce, particularly in agriculture and the informal sector.

Implementation Gaps Across the Continent

The report also underscores a widespread issue in Africa: the disconnect between enacted laws and their practical enforcement. Globally, only half of all gender-equality laws are effectively implemented.

Pathways to Progress for Chad

According to the World Bank, Chad’s current ranking serves as both a benchmark and a call to action. Targeted reforms—focusing on property rights, financial access, and protection against violence—could significantly improve conditions for women and drive more inclusive economic growth.