Little of the country's mineral resources have so far been tapped. However, several recent oil finds indicate that Chad possesses considerable oil potential. Although it currently produces no oil, Exxon plans to develop three fields in the country's Doba Basin with up to 300 wells. The downstream oil industry has 3 international oil companies as well as local oil companies active in the marketing and distribution of petroleum products. The agricultural industry employs the majority of the population with cotton as the country's main export.
Output is dependent on weather conditions and the security situation.
The manufacturing industry in Chad is little developed and focuses on cotton processing. The principal airlines that fly to Chad are Air Afrique, Air France, Ethiopian Airlines and Sudan Air. All nationals except those of Germany and France require visas in order to visit Chad. An underdeveloped infrastructure, in which there are no railways, poor roads and rivers that are not entirely navigable throughout the year, creates a serious obstacle to economic development. Proof of a yellow fever vaccination is required upon entry into Chad.