Cameroon has secured FCFA 203 billion (approximately €309.93 million) in funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to modernize its road network in the East Region. This loan, approved on February 18, 2026, is earmarked for financing the first phase of the Cross-Border Economic Hubs Accessibility and Connectivity Program (PDCBET).
The funding will facilitate the construction and paving of a 156-kilometer section connecting Ngoura II to Yokadouma, along the strategic 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. The AfDB believes this project will unlock the region's productive potential and strengthen regional integration in Central Africa.
The East Region, Cameroon's largest with nearly 109,000 km², is one of the most underserved by the road network. The rate of paved roads is estimated at 6.25%, with a road density of approximately 0.70 km per 1,000 inhabitants. This situation is a major impediment to harnessing local productive potential, particularly in the agricultural, forestry, and mining sectors.
The construction of a modern road should facilitate trade between production areas and marketing centers, reduce transport costs, and improve access to services. The AfDB anticipates the creation of at least 2,500 direct and indirect jobs through this program, specifically targeting young people, women, and vulnerable minorities.
Beyond road infrastructure, this project aligns with a vision of regional economic integration, strengthening connections between the production basins of eastern Cameroon and cross-border corridors linking Cameroon to the Republic of Congo and Central African markets. In April 2024, the AfDB stated that it was the only development institution to maintain intense activity in the Cameroonian regions of Far North, North West and South West, despite security challenges. The paving of the Ngoura II – Yokadouma road is therefore a crucial issue for the opening up of the East region and the improvement of trade.
