The construction project for a second bridge over the Benoue River in Garoua, located in the North region of Cameroon, is currently on hold, awaiting authorization from the President of the Republic to proceed with a negotiated contract. This information was released by the Ministry of Public Works (Mintp). The contract in question is estimated at 201.4 billion FCFA, according to the assessment made by Mintp for 2026, and relies on funding planned by Deutsche Bank SAE, in accordance with an agreement signed in May 2024.
Included in the Mintp's 2026 Work Plan, the project aims to make significant progress this year in the construction of the second bridge and a bypass in the Benoue department, North region (phase 1). Announced since 2022, the project faces administrative constraints that are slowing down its execution.
Beyond the negotiated contract authorization, the Mintp is also awaiting the signing of the compensation decree by the Prime Minister. These two elements constitute the main obstacles identified by the administration to initiate the next steps.
Technically, the project includes the construction of a 550-meter-long bridge, as well as an 11.7 km access road. The ministry emphasizes the importance of this project for serving Garoua and improving traffic flow in this part of the North, while specifying that the schedule depends on the compliance of procedures.
To accelerate the process, the Mintp has defined a roadmap for 2026, focused on monitoring the draft compensation decree, obtaining authorization for the negotiated contract, and establishing a committee to review bids. The ministry also plans to monitor the project at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development for the mobilization of funding.
In May 2024, an agreement had already been signed between the Ministry of Public Works and a group of Spanish companies, Levantina Ingeniería Y Construcción S.L. and Tecopy-Lic, for the construction of this second bridge over the Benoue. Funding was to be provided by Deutsche Bank Sae, but other funders may also participate in the project. The construction of the second bridge over the Benoue aims to improve traffic flow and open up the region. The existing bridge, inaugurated in 1971, is an important crossing point on national road N1.
