The economy is based primarily on sedentary subsistence agriculture and nomadic pastoralism. Cattle, sheep, goats, and camels are raised, and there is fishing in Lake Chad. During drought periods, Chad requires food aid to meet necessary levels. 4 Natron and uranium are the country's chief minerals. Petroleum production, hindered by lack of financing, was expected to begin in the southern Doba basin in 2000, with a proposed oil pipeline through Cameroon.
Industry is limited to food processing and the production of textiles and light consumer goods.
Chad is a member of the Franc Zone. Its chief trading partners are France and other European Union countries, Cameroon, and South Africa. 5 Government Chad is governed under the constitution of 1995. The executive branch is headed by a president, who is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. 6 History Traditionally, the region around Lake Chad was a focal point for trans-Saharan trade routes.