As Douala Port fetes 150 years: PM Dion Ngute salutes legacy, resilience, ambitious future.

It took place at Quai 14 of the Container Terminal along the banks of the Wouri River, on Friday, September 26.

It brought together government officials, local authorities, traditional rulers, business leaders and members of the maritime community.

In his welcome address, the Douala City Mayor, Dr Roger Mbassa Ndine, underscored the centrality of the port towards the city’s growth and Cameroon’s economic life.

“Douala owes its standing as the nation’s economic capital largely to the port, alongside the airport and rail station,” he declared. 

He paid glowing tribute to President Paul Biya for his attention to the city and thanked the Prime Minister for his presence, noting that this was his third visit in a short period—proof of government’s commitment to Douala’s strategic role.

Dr Mbassa Ndine described the port as not only an infrastructure of commerce but also a cultural symbol that has anchored Douala’s development. 

“For 150 years, the Port of Douala has remained a vital artery of our nation’s economic and social fabric,” he added.

Bonaberi port birthplace of the Nation

Taking the floor on behalf of the Head of State, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute recalled the historic weight of the port as both an economic hub and the cradle of Cameroon’s statehood.

“This is the very ground where, about 150 years ago, our compatriots first engaged in trade with Portuguese, Dutch and German merchants, and where the historic German-Cameroon treaty was signed,” he said. 

“We are therefore at the birthplace of Cameroon,” he added.

PM Dion Ngute saluted generations of workers, operators and leaders, whose efforts sustained the port’s visibility and relevance across the decades. He stressed that the Port of Douala–Bonaberi remains the country’s principal maritime gateway, handling the bulk of Cameroon’s imports and exports as well as serving neighbouring countries like Chad, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville and Niger.

He outlined ongoing reforms and modernisation projects—ranging from the internalisation of Container Terminal management and dredging, to the acquisition of new tugboats and the development of industrial zones—presenting them as proof of Cameroon’s determination to transform the port into a reference hub in the Gulf of Guinea.

“The Port of Douala is not just an economic lever,” he declared, “it is a symbol of sovereignty and progress, and a heritage we must continue to build upon”. 

He congratulated top management, led by Cyrus Ngo'o, for the excellent job they have done to keep the port moving ahead despite adversities.

"Mr Director General, I must say, you and your team deserve applause and I recall it was at this same side that in 2011, the President of the Republic made promises to which has led to executed orders that we are witnessing today…congratulations," Prime Minister Dion Ngute said 

Legacy born in the colonial era

In a stirring keynote address, the Director General of the Douala Port Authority, PAD, Cyrus Ngo’o, retraced the rich and often turbulent history of Cameroon’s oldest and busiest seaport. He underscored its pivotal role as both the economic lifeline of the nation and a vital hub for Central Africa.

Cyrus Ngo’o noted that the story of the Douala Port dates back to 1868, when German colonial interests established the first rudimentary docks on the Wouri River. Their aim, he explained, was not only to secure a gateway for exports of cocoa, coffee, palm oil and timber, but also to consolidate strategic military and economic control over the territory.

Over time, Douala-Bonaberi emerged as the preferred maritime hub, eclipsing rivals such as Kribi and Victoria (now Limbe), owing largely to its advantageous location, rail connectivity and road access. Yet, the prosperity of the port during the colonial period came at a tragic human cost, with local populations subjected to forced labour and exploitation on international projects, including the construction of the Panama Canal and the Congo-Ocean Railway.

After the First World War, he said, French colonial authorities inherited the port and invested in gradual expansions, notably in the 1920s and the post-Second World War era. By independence, Douala-Bonaberi had become the epicentre of maritime commerce in Cameroon, handling nearly 90% of the country’s trade.

From independence to modernisation

Post-independence Cameroon inherited a port largely dominated by foreign companies. However, as the Director General recalled, the young nation wasted little time asserting control. With support from international partners, three successive waves of investments between 1969 and 1983 reshaped the port’s capacity and outlook, culminating in the modern infrastructure that defined the late 20th century.

The reforms of 1998 further transformed the port into an autonomous entity — a move aimed at boosting sovereignty, efficiency and competitiveness. 

But Ngo’o acknowledged that the structural adjustment policies of the 1980s and 1990s, dictated by Bretton Woods institutions, undermined the port’s operations, leading to congestion, decline in infrastructure, and erosion of state control.

“Douala almost lost its sovereignty over its principal gateway to international trade,” he said, recalling an era when inefficiency and illicit practices tarnished the port’s reputation.

Renewal and the Biya Vision

According to Cyrus Ngo’o, the turning point came with President Paul Biya’s 2011 directive in Douala, which called for a complete overhaul of the sector. Since 2016, PAD has embarked on a sweeping programme of modernisation, rehabilitation and renationalisation of key services.

Today, the Douala-Bonaberi Port, in synergy with the seaport of Kribi, is repositioning itself as a central maritime hub in the Gulf of Guinea. 

“This platform has regained its aura of old and is once again a catalyst of national economic growth,” Ngo’o declared.

Celebration of memory and projection

The week-long anniversary celebrations, PAD’s boss announced, include the unveiling of a commemorative stele, the inauguration of a Documentation and Archives Centre, a cultural and economic village, a physical and virtual exhibition, and an international scientific colloquium. These activities, he explained, are designed not only to honour the past, but also to chart the port’s future role in global commerce and regional integration.

“The Douala Port is not just an infrastructure to facilitate trade. It is a living testimony of Cameroon’s resilience, a heritage for the present and a promise for future generations,” he affirmed. 

The celebrations therefore signal not only national pride, but also regional solidarity and strategic ambition.

As the curtains rise on the 150th anniversary, the Douala Port Authority has chosen to emphasise continuity: recognising the sacrifices of pioneers, consolidating the achievements of the present, and projecting into a future of innovation, sovereignty and competitiveness. With a mix of remembrance and vision, the port stands as both a mirror of Cameroon’s past and a beacon for its future.

History, aspiration unveiled in a monument 

Part of the highlights of the ceremony was the unveiling of the commemorative monument located at the gateway to the Container Terminal of Douala -Bonaberi port. 

The architectural jewel was presented as more than a work of art, but a philosophical guide embodying the spirit of the port.

At its heart stands a bronze ship’s wheel set on an inclined plane, symbolising the port’s steady ascent toward excellence, anchored by a giant chain representing its rootedness in history. Majestic marble columns crowned with mooring bollards signify legendary hospitality, while a bronze container ship represents modern maritime activity.

A monumental compass carved in red granite indicates Cameroon’s determination to “stay the course” despite global economic tempests, while surrounding wind circles mark the international maritime routes converging on Douala. Two giant metallic prawns—a tribute to the crustacean that gave Cameroon its name—link the site’s symbolism to the nation’s maritime heritage.

“This square tells the full story of a port rooted in history, keeping its course toward excellence, while welcoming the world with grandeur and hospitality,” the presenter of the monument stated.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3579 of Monday September 29, 2025