Cameroon officially launched the Kribi Port Industrial Zone (KPIZ) on February 26, 2026, a colossal project estimated at €795 million. Located in Yaoundé, this ambitious initiative aims to transform the country into a major industrial hub in Central Africa, relying on the local processing of natural resources and the attraction of foreign investment.
The KPIZ is part of Cameroon's National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30), which emphasizes the valorization of local raw materials. Historically, Cameroon has mainly exported raw materials, thus limiting its capacity to create added value. This new industrial zone aims to change this by developing strategic sectors and stimulating economic growth.
Africa Global Logistics (AGL), a subsidiary of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), plays a central role in this project. As a strategic partner, AGL brings its logistics expertise to connect future industrial units to international markets. Its global network will optimize supply chains and ensure the competitiveness of companies located in the zone.
In addition to AGL, the project also benefits from the expertise of Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP), specializing in the development of industrial zones in Africa, and Belmont Investments, a company owned by Cameroonian economic operator Colin Mukete. This public-private partnership reinforces the credibility and solidity of the initiative.
The first phase of the project, estimated to cost €400 million, is financially supported by international institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Union through its Global Gateway program, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank subsidiary dedicated to the private sector. This international commitment demonstrates investors' confidence in Cameroon's industrial potential.
The deep-water port of Kribi is already Cameroon's main maritime hub, also serving landlocked countries in Central Africa such as Chad and the Central African Republic. The creation of the KPIZ will bring production units closer to the port, thereby reducing logistics costs and improving the competitiveness of Cameroonian exports.
Ultimately, the industrial zone is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, thus contributing to Cameroon's economic prosperity and its positioning as a major industrial hub in Central Africa. The launch of the KPIZ represents a decisive turning point for the Cameroonian economy, marking a clear commitment to structural transformation and economic diversification.
