The Ministry of Public Works (Mintp) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the slow progress of work on the Olounou–Oveng–Gabon border road, particularly on the 70 km section that is to be paved. The Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, is considering issuing a formal notice to the company in charge of the works if the situation does not improve quickly.
The service order prescribing the start of the works was notified to the company in September 2024, but the works only started a month later. More than a year and a half later, the project's progress rate is only 9%, which is considered very low by the Mintp. As of April 2026, the project had an execution rate of 9.76%, while 54.25% of the deadlines had already passed. The ministry had initially planned for delivery in September 2027, but is now aiming for December 2028.
The Mintp claims to have made more than 12 billion FCFA available for the project, covering the start-up advance, design studies and team mobilization. Just over 1.5 billion FCFA remains to be paid out of the 3.3 billion expected by the company as the balance of its payments.
The inadequacy of the equipment deployed on the site is one of the difficulties pointed out by the administration. Only a first batch of equipment has arrived on site, while the remainder, including bulldozers and excavators, is said to be blocked at the port. The ministry believes that these delays are disrupting the planned disbursement schedule.
The total cost of the 70 km road development project is estimated at 74 billion FCFA. It is 95% financed by Deutsche Bank SpA Italy, while the State of Cameroon is covering the remaining 5%, including the start-up advance and the payment of taxes.
The construction of the Olounou-Oveng-Gabon border road aims to improve connectivity between Cameroon and Gabon, facilitating economic exchange and mobility. The project is part of Cameroon's national development plan, which calls for the construction of 11,300 km of paved roads by 2027.
Despite the difficulties encountered, the Mintp insists on the need to speed up the works and does not rule out issuing a formal notice to the company if the situation does not improve quickly.
