“Model” World Bank Development Project fails in Chad

“Model” World Bank Development Project fails in Chad

Release Date: 10-Oct-2008

Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world. The landlocked African country has a history of political volatility. Despite strong arguments from civil society that it would inflame tensions and leave the poor without benefit, the World Bank funded a $US4.2 billion oil and gas pipeline between Chad and Cameroon. A decade later, the World Bank has withdrawn from the project.

“Sadly, instead of supporting a population that's largely illiterate and dependent on agriculture for its survival, the Bank had decided to take on a project that would bring oil wealth — and little in the way of jobs, schooling or health care — to this desperately poor and highly corrupt country.”