Cameroon has secured CFAF 203 billion (approximately €309.93 million) in funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the first phase of the Programme for Opening-up and Connectivity of Cross-Border Economic Basins in the Eastern Region (PDCBET). The agreement was approved by the Board of Directors of the AfDB Group on February 18.
This funding will be used for the development and paving of a 156-kilometer section connecting Ngoura II to Yokadouma, on the Bertoua – Batouri – Ngoura II – Yokadouma – Moloundou – Republic of Congo border axis. This corridor is essential for facilitating trade between Cameroon and its Central African neighbors.
Léandre Bassolé, Director General of the AfDB Group for Central Africa, stated that improving connectivity in the Eastern region and its integration with border corridors will help unlock productive potential and strengthen regional integration in Central Africa.
In addition to improving mobility, the program aims to strengthen social cohesion and reduce territorial disparities in the Eastern region, which is the largest in Cameroon but one of the least served by the road network. The rate of paved roads in the region is estimated at 6.25%, with a road density of approximately 0.70 km per 1,000 inhabitants, hindering the development of local productive potential.
The AfDB emphasizes that the construction of a modern road will facilitate trade, reduce transport costs, improve access to services, and enhance economic competitiveness. The implementation of the program is expected to create at least 2,500 direct and indirect jobs, particularly for young people, women, and vulnerable minorities.
This project aligns with a focus on regional economic integration, strengthening connections between production areas in eastern Cameroon and cross-border corridors to the Republic of Congo and Central Africa. The AfDB estimates that Africa needs between $130 billion and $170 billion annually for infrastructure development. Improving road infrastructure in Africa is essential for reducing intra-African trade costs, improving time to market, and promoting regional integration.
