Cameroon estimates it will need around CFA890 billion to rehabilitate the Douala–Bangui road corridor, a key route for trade with the Central African Republic and a strategic link for Central Africa’s economy. The section within Cameroon stretches close to 800 kilometers.
The Ministry of Public Works designed the program to reduce transport costs and shorten travel times along the corridor. Authorities also expect it to open up remote areas, improve living conditions for local populations, and support economic activity.
The project is structured in three phases. The first phase, scheduled to start in 2027, is estimated at CFA425 billion. It includes the reconstruction of the Yaoundé–Douala road, with priority given to the most damaged and heavily used sections, the construction of a second bridge over the Dibamba River, and rehabilitation work along the Yaoundé–Ayos–Bonis–Bertoua–Garoua Boulaï route.
This phase will also cover reforms related to road maintenance and axle load control, as well as preparatory studies for the second phase. It includes support for access to basic services for refugees in the Central African Republic. The government is counting on partners such as the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to finance this stage. According to the ministry, it should restore traffic on priority sections and improve road safety.
The second phase will focus on improving the corridor’s logistics. It is expected to fund trade facilitation measures, logistics upgrades, transport cost reductions, and smoother border crossings. Planned to begin in 2028, this stage will also strengthen the institutional framework and prepare for greater private sector involvement.
Funding for this phase is not yet fully secured, as the final cost will depend on studies carried out during the first phase. However, the ministry says around $540 million—about CFA300 billion—could already be mobilized from the World Bank. The Islamic Development Bank is also among the potential partners.
The third phase, scheduled for 2031, is estimated at CFA164 billion, which the government hopes to secure from the World Bank. This final stage aims to complete the rehabilitation of the corridor and turn it into a driver of local economic development. It is expected to support agricultural and logistics value chains, encourage the emergence of logistics hubs, attract more private investment in agribusiness and services, and expand access to basic services for refugees in Cameroon.
Ludovic Amara