Douala-Bonaberi Port stages international scientific symposium.

The symposium, held from October 2 to 3, combined historical reflection, scientific inquiry, and forward-looking strategic planning into the ports' future. It was held under the central theme: “A River, a Territory, a Port, a History, a Future”.

The Deputy Director General of Douala Port Authority, Charles Moukoko Njoh's in his opening remarks, reminded participants that the port’s development is inextricably linked to the geography of the Wouri River, the livelihoods of local communities, and the broader dynamics of trade and economic growth. 

Njoh emphasised that the symposium was not merely commemorative but a strategic forum to explore modernisation, governance, sustainability, and socio-economic impact. 

He underscored that the event would foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, with the ultimate goal of translating research and discussions into practical recommendations for port development and management.

Njoh noted that the discussions were expected to provide insights into the modernization of port infrastructure and competitiveness in a globalised context. 

Njoh did not fail to express gratitude to the academic, institutional, and professional participants, stressing that their insights would help ensure the port remains a pillar of regional integration, economic competitiveness, and national sovereignty.

On her part, Dr Esther Olembe, Director of the National Archives, expressed gratitude for the collaboration between the National Archives and the scientific community. 

She stressed that the symposium provided a platform to protect, preserve, and illuminate the historical legacy of the Port of Douala-Bonabéri. 

Tracing its evolution from colonial administration to modern modernization efforts, Dr Olembe emphasised the importance of combining historical knowledge with scientific and economic analysis to inform policy and sustain the port’s role as a driver of national and regional development.

A 500-year journey retraced 

In his intervention, Prince Kum'a Mbella III, a historian and custodian of local heritage, traced the port’s history back over 500 years, long before the formal establishment of the Douala-Bonabéri Port in the 19th century. 

His presentation highlighted the pre-colonial trade networks along the Wouri River, which facilitated the exchange of goods such as ivory, palm oil, and spices among local kingdoms and with European traders.

He also traced the impact of early European contact, including Portuguese, Dutch, and later German and British influence, shaping the region’s economic and social structures, the evolution of territorial governance and community settlements along the riverbanks, emphasising the role of local chiefs and traditional authorities in sustaining trade and cultural heritage. 

He also elaborated the colonial infrastructure developments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which formalised the port while also introducing new administrative and logistical systems, the continuity of local resilience and adaptation, demonstrating how communities maintained economic and cultural practices despite external pressures.

Prince Kum'a Ndumbe III emphasised that understanding this half-millennium of history was crucial for modern port management. 

By contextualising the port within centuries of trade, territorial negotiation, and cultural adaptation, he said the symposium could better inform strategic planning, sustainability, and community engagement for the port’s future.

He recalled that by 1850, the establishment of the Court of Equity in Douala symbolised early attempts to regulate trade between Europeans and local chiefs. 

However, he said the said cooperative relationship shifted dramatically with the German annexation of 1884, when sovereignty treaties signed under pressure, marked the loss of indigenous control over maritime trade. 

The treaties, he said, ushered in the construction of the first port infrastructure to serve colonial interests, laying the foundation for what would become the Douala-Bonaberi Port.

Under French administration, he said the further modernisation followed, including dredging works, quays, and warehouses that transformed the port into the main maritime outlet for Cameroon and the wider Central African sub-region. 

Following independence, he said Cameroon nationalised and expanded port operations, aligning them with the country’s industrial and economic ambitions. 

The port thus became a vital artery for landlocked neighbors such as Chad and the Central African Republic. Prince Kum’a Ndumbe III emphasised the need to preserve the legacy while embracing innovation.

He has insisted that the port’s future be guided by sustainable management, technological modernization, and deeper regional integration, especially within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3588 of Wednesday October 08, 2025