Ngaoundéré-garoua road rehab: gov’t seals financial deal with AfDB

The Minister of Economy Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey, has signed two pre-agreement deals with the African Development Bank, AfDB, worth 216 billion CFA francs aimed at reconstructing the Ngaoundéré–Garoua road and to enhance the Douala-N’Djamena corridor scheduled to commence in April 2025.

The signing ceremony took place with Cameroon represented by the Minister of the Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey, and the AfDB represented by its Acting Director-General for Central Africa, Solomone Kony. According to the terms of the agreement, the AfDB will provide 216.78 billion CFA francs, covering 97% of the total project cost, while the government of Cameroon will contribute 3%, amounting to 7 billion CFA francs.

This brings the total project budget to 221.6 billion CFA francs. The reconstruction project covers a 240.85 km stretch of road and is part of the 2020/2030 National Development Strategy, SND30, aimed at modernizing Cameroon’s transport infrastructure. This marks the third major road infrastructure initiative under this framework. Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey highlighted the significance of the project, stating that its completion will enhance sub-regional integration and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.

The road is expected to facilitate trade, create business opportunities for the private sector, and support small and medium-sized enterprises. The project also aims to improve connectivity from Douala to Ndjamena, addressing transportation challenges in the northern region. Minister Mey emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader efforts to enhance infrastructure and economic growth under the leadership of President Paul Biya.

Preliminary work has already been carried out, and construction is scheduled to commence in April this year. In addition to road rehabilitation, the funding will also support various socio-economic relief initiatives in communities along the corridor. These measures are designed to boost economic activity and create a more inclusive economic environment.

The reconstruction of the Ngaoundéré-Garoua road is expected to significantly strengthen trade and transport between Cameroon and Chad, improving regional integration and economic cooperation.