The Chadian government has launched a new digital portal that makes 68 years of official government records available online for the first time.

The platform, which hosts the country’s Official Journal (Journal Officiel), contains thousands of important documents dating back to 1957. These include laws, decrees, presidential orders, and other official announcements spanning both the pre-independence and post-independence periods.

This digitisation project is seen as a major step in modernising Chad’s public administration and improving access to government information. Citizens, researchers, lawyers, students, and businesses can now easily search and download official documents that were previously only available in physical form at government offices.

The initiative aims to increase transparency, reduce corruption risks associated with paper records, and make it easier for people across the country  especially those outside the capital  to access important legal and administrative information.

Chadian authorities say the new portal will help strengthen governance by making government actions more open and accountable. It is also expected to save time and costs for both citizens and civil servants who previously had to travel long distances or wait for manual searches.

The project was carried out with support from partners focused on digital transformation in Africa. Officials noted that more documents will be added to the portal in the coming months as digitisation efforts continue.

This development puts Chad among a growing number of African countries working to preserve and digitise their historical records. Many citizens and legal experts have welcomed the move, describing it as long overdue and beneficial for the country’s development.

The Official Journal portal is now accessible to the public and is expected to become an important resource for understanding Chad’s legal and political history.