UKCCC urges Cameroon to turn trade corridors into jobs, investment.

He made the remarks following his participation in the fifth edition of the UK–Francophone West and Central Africa Forum, WCAF 5, held in Conakry, Guinea, from October 19 to 21, 2026.

The said forum brought together government representatives, business leaders and investors to explore opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation between the United Kingdom and Francophone West and Central Africa.

Cameroon’s session focused on “Central African Infrastructure and Resource Corridors”. It examined the country’s potential to serve as a gateway to regional markets and the investment opportunities available in transport, logistics, energy and natural resources.

Speaking to The Guardian Post after his return from Conakry, Kiven noted that the country’s geographical advantage must translate into tangible commercial benefits for businesses and communities.

“Businesses need competitive transport costs, reliable delivery times and predictable procedures,” he said.

He went on to say that ports, roads, railways, energy infrastructure and border services must operate as an integrated system. He identified the Douala–N’Djamena and Douala–Bangui corridors as examples of how Cameroon’s transport networks support trade with neighbouring landlocked countries, particularly Chad and the Central African Republic.

Kiven also highlighted opportunities to link the Kribi port infrastructure with industrial activity and regional markets.

According to him, the ultimate objective should go beyond moving goods from one destination to another to stimulating production, processing, local enterprise and employment along the corridors.

Infrastructure, trade facilitation priorities

Kiven identified infrastructure reliability, administrative predictability and coordination among key stakeholders as major factors affecting the performance of Cameroon’s trade corridors.

He called for improved maintenance of existing infrastructure, simplified administrative procedures and stronger coordination among port authorities, customs services, transport operators and neighbouring administrations.

The official said investors and traders needed transparent charges, consistent clearance procedures and well-maintained transport networks to operate efficiently.

On attracting private investment into major infrastructure projects, the UKCCC executive director emphasised the importance of credible demand forecasts, realistic cost assessments, clear responsibilities and viable revenue models.

He said public-private partnerships, PPPs, could help mobilise investment where payment arrangements were affordable, responsibilities clearly defined and risks allocated to parties best placed to manage them.

Douala–Bangui corridor holds opportunities

To illustrate how infrastructure investment could improve regional trade, Kiven cited the Douala–Bangui corridor, which links Cameroon to the Central African Republic.

He referred to a World Bank-approved, US$1.12 billion multiphase programme announced in June 2026, with an initial phase of US$525 million, aimed at improving the strategic trade route.

According to him, the corridor stretches more than 1,400 kilometres and carries over 80 per cent of the Central African Republic’s external trade. However, deteriorating roads, high transportation costs and lengthy journey times continue to constrain its performance.

He said improved corridor performance could lower delivery costs, strengthen supply-chain reliability and give businesses better access to regional markets. It could also create opportunities in construction, maintenance, transport, warehousing, agricultural processing and related services.

The programme is expected to generate approximately 2,000 to 4,000 direct and indirect job opportunities over its lifecycle, while maintenance activities could sustain between 150 and 250 jobs annually, according to the figures he cited.

Local businesses must benefit

The UKCCC Executive Director said local participation must be integrated into infrastructure projects from the planning stage to ensure that surrounding communities and Cameroonian enterprises benefit from the investments.

He identified agriculture, processing, transport, engineering, maintenance, catering and other support services as potential areas for local business participation, depending on commercial viability.

Kiven called for timely information on contracts, transparent selection criteria, appropriately sized procurement packages and prompt payments to enable small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, to participate in project supply chains.

He further stressed the importance of feeder roads connecting farming communities and productive areas to major transport corridors.

“A corridor offers limited benefit to farmers if feeder roads cannot connect them to it,” he said.

On governance and environmental, social and governance, ESG, considerations, Kiven said accountability, transparent procurement, cost control and investor confidence were fundamental to project success.

He said environmental and social safeguards should address land access, community consultation, worker safety, biodiversity and climate resilience from the project preparation stage through implementation.

UK–Cameroon partnerships

Kiven identified several areas in which British and Cameroonian businesses could develop partnerships, including feasibility studies, engineering, financial structuring, legal services, environmental and social assessments, digital logistics, training and infrastructure maintenance.

He also highlighted potential opportunities in warehousing, cold-chain systems, processing and supply-chain services around major infrastructure projects.

He said successful partnerships would combine international expertise and commercial networks with the local knowledge of Cameroonian firms.

The UKCCC, he explained, intends to work with partner chambers in Africa and the United Kingdom to connect investor interests with credible Cameroonian businesses and projects.

Calls for stronger Cameroon participation

Despite the opportunities presented by WCAF 5, Kiven said Cameroon could benefit more from such platforms through stronger participation by businesses and better coordination between the private sector and public institutions.

He observed that although information about the forums was circulated, the number of Cameroonian businesses attending did not always reflect the opportunities available.

He called for early preparation of national delegations, clear objectives and a shared understanding of the projects and partnerships Cameroon intends to promote.

He added that stronger government participation, supported by technical teams and businesses prepared to discuss specific investment opportunities, could help the country present a more coordinated investment proposition.

Kiven cited approximately £2.7 billion in deals concluded by participating delegations at the Conakry forum as an indication of the scale of opportunities available.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3953 of Wednesday October 28, 2026