Cameroon: Launch of phase 2 of the Yaoundé-Douala highway, in partnership with China

A major infrastructure project worth USD 1.5 billion

Phase 2 of the Yaoundé-Douala highway in Cameroon has been officially launched. Estimated to cost nearly 880 billion FCFA (about 1.5 billion USD), this project is part of the Sino-Cameroonian cooperation discussed at the last China-Africa Forum (FOCAC) in Beijing. Cameroonian President Paul Biya had asked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to step up investment in the country’s road infrastructure.

Project attributions and characteristics

The project was awarded by mutual agreement to China First Highway Engineering Corporation (CFHEC), a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), following a selection process that began in March 2020. The work, carried out under a unit price contract, will be paid based on the services provided by the company. This second phase of construction covers five sections over a total distance of 141.1 km, divided between:

• Edea East – Edea West (30 km)
• Pitti station – Massoumbou (19.5 km)
• Edea West – Pitti station (18 km)
• Bibodi – Bodmon (39.5 km)
• Bodmon – Edea East (34 km)

The completion time for the work is estimated at 36 months.

Objectives: Improving mobility and regional transit

This phase aims to strengthen the connection between Cameroon’s two main cities, Yaoundé and Douala, while promoting the economic development of localities located along the highway. The project will also play a key role in regional transit in Central Africa, by improving the strategic corridors linking Douala to Brazzaville, Bangui and N’Djamena.

Guarantees for local populations

The Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, stated that the populations impacted by the works would be compensated. He also called on local residents to be civic-minded, indicating that the assessment of the affected properties has already been finalized.

Phase 1 History

Phase 1 of the project, which began in October 2014 and was also entrusted to CFHEC, was completed after more than eight years of work at a cost of around 350 billion FCFA.

Conclusion

The launch of Phase 2 of the Yaoundé-Douala highway marks a crucial milestone in infrastructure development in Cameroon, strengthening Sino-Cameroonian cooperation. This major project is essential to improve internal mobility, boost economic development and consolidate trade throughout the Central African sub-region.