Young chadians turn to sand trade amid N’Djamena’s economic hardship

In the heart of N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, young Chadians are facing an increasingly harsh reality. With persistent unemployment casting a long shadow over their futures, many have turned to the physically demanding trade of sand transport as their only means of survival.

The bustling market of Emtoukoui, located in the 7th arrondissement, has become a stark symbol of this struggle. Scores of young men gather daily along the main road, their bodies weary from the relentless sun and backbreaking labor. They wait, shoulders hunched under the weight of heavy loads, for a passing motorist or pedestrian to hail their services. This isn’t commerce in the traditional sense—it’s a fight for survival, where the commodity is sand and the currency is sheer endurance.

the weight of survival

According to the latest macroeconomic projections from the World Bank, Chad’s poverty rate is projected to hit 45.4%, encompassing roughly 9.5 million people living in extreme deprivation. For the youth of N’Djamena, these figures translate into a daily grind where opportunity is scarce and necessity dictates the path forward.

The job market offers little respite. Official statistics reveal a staggering unemployment rate of 30.3% among Chadians aged 15 to 24. For the broader age bracket of 15 to 30, the rate stands at 22%, while graduates face an unemployment rate exceeding 60%. With formal employment out of reach, many of these young workers have no choice but to embrace the backbreaking trade of sand transportation.

The process is grueling. Loads of 50 kg of sand are hoisted onto their backs or loaded onto makeshift carts, affectionately dubbed ‘porte-tout.’ These young laborers then traverse the neighborhoods, offering their services to anyone in need. The payoff? A modest sum—anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 West African CFA francs—varies depending on distance, terrain, and the customer’s willingness to negotiate.

an economy built on resilience

For these young men, often with limited formal education, the sand trade is a lifeline. But it’s a fragile one. The work is inconsistent, the income unreliable, and the conditions unforgiving. « We don’t choose this work out of passion, but out of necessity, » one laborer confesses, his face etched with the fatigue of a long day. « We must eat. We must survive. So we endure, no matter the cost. »

The sand trade may be a testament to their resilience, but it’s also a stark reminder of the systemic challenges they face. With formal job opportunities few and far between, the informal sector becomes the last line of defense against poverty. These young workers are the unseen pillars of N’Djamena’s daily life, their sweat and toil shaping the city’s landscape in ways that often go unnoticed.

At Emtoukoui and beyond, their plea is simple: a chance. Until then, they will continue to wait, their carts laden with sand, their futures uncertain, and their determination unyielding.