Joblessness compels a generation seeking survival into arduous professions. At Emtoukoui market, nestled within the 7th arrondissement of the capital, dozens of young men have made the demanding sand trade their daily livelihood. It is a grueling toil, far removed from office settings, yet absolutely essential for putting food on their tables.

According to the latest macroeconomic projections by the World Bank Group for Chad, the national poverty rate is anticipated to encompass 45.4% of the population. This staggering figure translates to approximately 9.5 million individuals enduring extreme poverty.

Beneath a scorching sun, along the paved thoroughfare of Emtoukoui market, the scene remains constant. Overloaded ‘porte-tout’ (human-powered carts) stand poised, desperately awaiting a customer’s signal. Nearby, faces etched with weariness and palpable discouragement scan for any potential client. This is not conventional commerce; it is the trade of survival, the business of sand.

In Chad, data from INSEED and national reports indicate that the unemployment rate for young people aged 15 to 24 stands at 30.3%. For the 15 to 30 age bracket, the overall rate hovers around 22%, while the unemployment rate among educated youth surpasses 60%. These figures underscore a profound challenge for society Africa.

For these young men, many of whom have seen the doors of formal employment firmly shut, sand has become their sole viable resource. The process is physically demanding, repetitive, and utterly exhausting. Sand is loaded into 50 kg sacks, then transported by sheer arm strength or with the aid of their indispensable ‘porte-tout’, which they navigate through neighborhoods to offer their services.

“We don’t choose this work out of passion, but out of absolute necessity,” one young man confided, his gaze distant, marked by the visible stigmas of an arduous day. “We must eat, we must survive. So, we venture forth, regardless of the hardship.” The majority of these young people, whose formal education was limited, attempt to carve out a future through this activity, but it is far from easy.

The economic model, if it can even be termed as such, remains precarious and unpredictable. Depending on the distance, the difficulty of the journey, or the client’s negotiation skills, the price for a delivery ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 CFA francs. This is a modest sum considering the intense physical exertion required daily.

This situation singularly illustrates the harsh reality confronting a segment of N’Djamena’s youth. In the absence of formal professional opportunities, the informal sector emerges as the final bulwark against destitution. It transforms these young individuals into unseen laborers whose sweat literally constructs the capital’s daily existence, often amidst widespread indifference.

In Emtoukoui and beyond, these young people do not seek charity, but rather an opportunity. Until then, they continue to scan for the next customer, their ‘porte-tout’ loaded, their faces solemn under the weight of an uncertain future.