World Bank pledges 220 billion FCFA for Douala-Bangui Corridor.

Both the government and the Bretton Woods institution have confirmed that project preparation is sufficiently advanced to meet the June 2026 approval deadline.

The disclosure was made during a meeting between the Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi and a World Bank delegation led by senior specialist, Alphonse Soh.

The exchange focused on preliminary findings from the project assessment. Discussions showed that preparations are progressing steadily, with key technical and administrative milestones being reached.

The Yaounde-Edea stretch, covering 165 kilometres, was identified as the most advanced segment and is expected to form the first phase of construction. 

Authorities indicated that procurement processes are being finalised, positioning the project for rapid rollout once funding is secured.

“The preparation of the project is well advanced and that is to the credit of the government. This allows us to be confident that the deadlines expected of us, notably approval before the end of June 2026, will be met,” Soh stated.

It emerged from the meeting that the World Bank is considering a financial contribution of around 400 million dollars, equivalent to more than FCFA 220 billion, towards the project. 

However, officials confirmed that the institution will not finance the entire Cameroonian section, with additional partners expected to contribute.

“We are working to determine the needs required for rehabilitation works on the section where we are engaged. It is not the World Bank that will finance the entire Cameroonian section of the corridor, there are other donors, and discussions are ongoing,” Soh said.

Other financial partners identified in the project include the French Development Agency, the European Union, the European Investment Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, reflecting the scale of the initiative.

Alongside construction plans, authorities note attention has also been given to maintaining the country’s existing road network, estimated at about 11,000 kilometres.

The World Bank signalled its readiness to support ongoing maintenance operations, particularly on the Ayos-Garoua-Boulaï route, pending larger rehabilitation works.

The government has also highlighted the need to strengthen the National Park of Civil Engineering Equipment, MATGENIE, the state-owned company responsible for road maintenance, as part of broader efforts to improve operational capacity in the sector. 

Further meetings are expected to refine the national strategy and align it with modernisation priorities.

“Road maintenance will be at the heart of the road strategy in the coming years. The World Bank stands ready to support the state once this strategy has been adopted,” Soh stated.

Officials indicated that once financing arrangements are concluded, contracts will be signed without delay, allowing works to begin quickly.

The Douala-Bangui corridor links Cameroon’s economic hub of Douala to the Central African Republic, making it a key route for regional trade and transport. 

The project is being implemented with support from multiple international partners, with studies still ongoing on several sections to determine final investment requirements.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3762 of Thursday April 16, 2026