Gov’t seeking own share of AfDB’s 2.49 billion dollars earmarked for road projects.

This was announced during the second AfDB Transport Forum, with deliberations focusing on the theme: “Africa on the Move: Accelerating Sustainable Transport and Logistics Connectivity”. The forum ran from September 18 to 20 in Abidjan, Cote d`Ivoire.

The continental bank believes that Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, and its economic output is expected to triple by 2040. Therefore, the need to expand and modernise the continent’s transport infrastructure is more pressing than ever. 

Transport demand is predicted to grow eightfold by 2040, with Cameroon hoping to secure more AfDB investments to further expand its road network.

The African Development Bank also views the transport sector as crucial for promoting inclusive growth and prosperity in collaboration with its Regional Member Countries. 

As Africa’s primary driver of development, the Bank aims not only to finance projects but also to champion knowledge sharing, facilitate networking among policymakers and stakeholders, and shape future policies in Africa’s transport sector.

That is why, during the Transport Forum, Cameroon’s Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, called for increased AfDB investment in his country’s road infrastructure. 

This is despite the fact that the official revealed that currently AfDB is Cameroon’s largest technical partner in this sector, providing some 824.8 billion FCFA, which covers 54% of the total road project financing.

According to the Ministry of Public Works, Cameroon’s road portfolio includes nine active projects supported by AfDB. 

These include the Bamenda-Mamfe Corridor Transport Facilitation Programme and the Ketta-Djoum Road Project, which facilitates transport along the Yaounde-Brazzaville corridor. 

Other key projects include the rehabilitation of the Yaounde-Bafoussam road and the construction of National Road Number 11, also known as the Ring Road.

Minister Djoumessi also announced that the government is also developing two new projects: the Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Gabon Corridor Transport and Trade Facilitation Project, and Phase 4 of the Transport Sector Support Programme, PAST-4, which will rebuild sections of the Ngaoundere-Garoua road network. These projects aim to improve access to basic services, open up rural areas, and stimulate economic growth. 

The minister presented all these initiatives during the forum's plenary session on September 18, which focused on sustainable roads, development, and logistics maintenance.

In his endeavour to win favour from the AfDB, Minister Djoumessi also emphasised that many of these roads are part of the Central African Transport Master Plan, designed to enhance trade between countries in the region. 

Some of the routes will also strengthen ties between the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS, and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS; particularly between Cameroon and Nigeria.

The Minister equally told the gathering that Cameroon is currently working on 70 road projects, covering 5,000 km of roads either under construction or being rehabilitated. The goal for 2024 is to add 869.85 km of new paved roads and improve existing infrastructure. 

The country’s National Development Strategy 2030, SND30, prioritises expanding and strengthening transport infrastructure, as road networks are vital for economic growth, poverty reduction, and regional integration.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3240 of Wednesday September 25, 2024