Cameroon has estimated the cost of rehabilitating the Douala-Bangui road corridor at CFA 890 billion, for the approximately 800-kilometer stretch within its territory. This infrastructure is considered strategic for trade between Cameroon and the Central African Republic (CAR), and more broadly for the economy of Central Africa.
The Ministry of Public Works (MINTP) has designed a three-phase rehabilitation program to reduce operating costs for transporters and shorten travel times. The project also aims to open up isolated areas, improve living conditions for the population, and support local economic activity. According to the latest MINTP data, this corridor carries nearly 40% of land trade flows between Cameroon and its Central African neighbors.
The first phase, scheduled to begin in 2027, will require an investment of CFA 425 billion. It will include the reconstruction of the Yaoundé-Douala axis, targeting the most degraded and heavily trafficked sections, as well as the construction of a second bridge over the Dibamba River and the upgrading of the Yaoundé-Ayos-Bonis-Bertoua-Garoua Boulaï section. This allocation will also finance road maintenance reforms, axle load control, and preparatory studies for the next phase. Support for access to services for refugees in CAR is also planned. The government hopes to mobilize funds from the World Bank, AFD, the European Union, and the EIB for this stage.
The second phase, expected from 2028, will focus on improving the logistics organization of the corridor. It will finance trade facilitation, logistics improvement, transport cost reduction, and border crossing streamlining measures. This phase will also strengthen the institutional framework and prepare for increased private sector participation. The MINTP indicates that $540 million (approximately CFA 300 billion) could be mobilized from the World Bank. The Islamic Development Bank is also being considered as a financial partner.
The third phase, planned for 2031, is estimated at CFA 164 billion, which the government intends to obtain from the World Bank. This final stage aims to complete the upgrading of the corridor and make it a lever for local economic development. It will support agricultural and logistics value chains, promote the emergence of logistics hubs, attract private investment in agribusiness and services, and expand access to basic services for refugees in Cameroon.
On April 10, 2026, the Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, met with a World Bank delegation led by Alphonse Soh to review the preliminary findings of the project. The World Bank is considering a financial contribution of approximately $400 million, equivalent to over CFA 220 billion. Procurement processes are nearing completion, with tender documents being finalized to enable rapid contract signing once financing is secured. According to the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), improving this corridor could reduce travel time between Douala and the Central African border by approximately 25% and lower logistics costs by 15-20% for transit companies.
The rehabilitation of the Douala-Bangui corridor is considered a transformative project for Cameroon, aiming to improve road safety, streamline transport, boost cross-border trade, and support economic integration in Central Africa.
