Cameroon roads: Coffins for the dead!.

In addition to the death toll, especially among "young people under 25", the economic impact has been estimated at approximately 800 billion FCFA per year, with corruption a key contributor.

The National Anti-corruption Commission, CONAC, had previously pointed out that "corrupt practices include diversion of toll roads and road weighing stations’ revenues, the issuance of fake toll tickets, collection of bribes in case of infringements, control teams operating fraudulently on roads axes, and transporters’ racketeering…".

For example, transporters' unions plying the Douala-Ndjamena corridor, in one of its reports noted that some "78,000 trucks operating on this corridor must pass through 120 checkpoints (set up by the police, gendarmerie, customs, and road prevention officers) per trip and pay bribes".  

While receiving New Year wishes last Monday, the minister of transport expressed regrets that "each life lost on our roads is one life too many.” He promised innovative and coordinated solutions to reverse the trend.

He instructed the intensification of road safety and prevention campaigns alongside the increased digitalization of control operations, with integration of intelligent systems for detecting traffic violations and the use of video-based enforcement to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of checks.

The minister also prescribed the acceleration of reforms to the medical fitness examination for drivers, noting that future assessments would incorporate ophthalmological, cardiological, neurological and, where necessary, psychiatric tests.

He also called for stronger support to decentralise local authorities in the execution of transferred road safety responsibilities. 

In the performance evaluation and strategic projection of the ministry, its Secretary General, Mveimani Sombo Amba, said the reform of the system for producing and issuing genuine transport documents resulted in the production of 459,299 documents, generating 7.135 billion FCFA in revenue, compared to an annual average of approximately 1.5 billion FCFA previously.

The reform led to an 80% decrease in the number of vehicles in the process of being registered and a 90% decrease in the number of drivers operating without a valid license.

In terms of driver training, he recounted that 197,533 candidates were trained and registered for exams, with 149,851 passing, representing a success rate of 75.86%, witnessing an increase of 16.67%.

The sector also saw the approval of 115 new vehicle prototypes, the creation of 80 new driving schools, bringing the total number to 1,227, as well as the accreditation of new transport companies and vehicle inspection centers.

Regarding road safety, 11,410 enforcement operations were carried out nationwide, supplemented by two national awareness campaigns, resulting in sanctions against 22 transport companies and the suspension of 1,336 driver’s licenses.

The introduction of Artificial Intelligence-based solutions enabled the detection of 195,905 risk factors in just a few months, contributing to the gradual reduction of fatal road accidents.

In the air traffic sector, passenger traffic reached 1,794,857 travelers, registering an increase of 4.69%. Actions undertaken focused on continuing the airport platform certification process, renewing the certificate of Yaounde-Nsimalen International Airport, finalising development projects for the Bertoua, Tiko, and Kribi airports, and strengthening international cooperation.

Regarding maritime and port transport, overall traffic increased from 23.03 million tons to 23.76 million tons, representing a 3% increase. Actions taken focused on strengthening maritime security, protecting the marine environment, aligning with international conventions and preparatory work for the establishment of the Maritime Single Window and the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention      

In the rail sub-sector, freight traffic was estimated at 1.534 million tons and passenger traffic at 947,202, an increase of 9.23%, with significant progress on major infrastructure projects, notably the Mbalam-Kribi line and the renewal of 238 km of track on the Douala-Yaounde axis.

Continuing his list of achievements, the Secretary General highlighted the progress made in the field of meteorology, through the modernisation and expansion of the national network, the regular production of multi-hazard and climate-health bulletins, the transmission of data to regional and international systems, and the establishment of strategic partnerships, notably with FEICOM, for the benefit of decentralised territorial authorities.

He indicated that the results achieved in 2025 would provide the foundation for intensifying public action in 2026.  Particular emphasis was placed on road safety, with its economic, safety and corruption impact as he recommended the strengthening of prevention campaigns, increasing the computerisation of enforcement operations, introducing intelligent systems for detecting violations, and accelerating the reform of the medical examination for driver's fitness.

The bottom line was the minister's commitment "to work towards a modern, safe, and efficient transport sector". But with pervasive impunity of corruption on the highway, all the innovative reforms the minister is introducing will just be déjà vu. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3688 of Thursday January 29, 2026