Deforestation work for phase 2 of the Douala-Yaoundé highway began on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at kilometer point 99+580. China First Highway Engineering Corporation (CFHEC) has deployed several machines to carry out this essential preliminary step in the area cleared following compensation to local residents.
These operations follow the completion of compensation payments to local residents in the Pouma subdivision, in the Sanaga-Maritime department. The launch of this deforestation work marks a significant step forward in the implementation of the second phase of the highway project.
Phase 2 of the project includes the construction of 141 km of highway, including 34.5 km of connecting sections to the existing road network. The construction site is divided into five sections of approximately thirty kilometers each. The work will extend over the Bibodi-Bodmon (39 km), Bodmom-Edéa East (34 km), Edéa East-Edéa West (30 km), Edéa West-Piti Gare (18 km) and Piti Gare-Massoumbou (19.5 km) sections.
The Ministry of Public Works emphasizes the importance of these deforestation operations, considering them a notable advance for the project. Alongside the work carried out by CFHEC, the project owner is continuing the compensation procedures for affected local residents, in order to free up the remaining areas on the highway route.
CFHEC has committed to pre-financing the work on the first section and is expected to start it even before signing the public contract. The Chinese company was chosen to carry out phase 2 of the Yaoundé-Douala highway project, which aims to connect the town of Bibodi, in the Central region, to the economic capital, in the Littoral region.
