(Business in Cameroon) – The Cameroonian government has asked the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for CFA165 billion to rehabilitate the Douala-Yaoundé road, a 214.1-kilometer section of National Highway No. 3. The request, dated July 22, 2025, was signed by Minister of Economy Alamine Ousmane Mey.
This key route links Douala and Yaoundé, the country’s two largest cities. It handles heavy and growing traffic but is now in poor condition, requiring major reconstruction. Planned works include reinforcing the pavement, widening certain sections, building alternative lanes, and constructing junctions and interchanges. The project also calls for new road signs, lighting, and other safety measures.
The rehabilitation is part of the National Infrastructure Development Program (PNDI) and Cameroon’s emergence strategy. Alongside the IsDB, the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD) are potential co-financiers, along with other technical and financial partners.
The Douala-Yaoundé road plays a critical role in subregional trade by connecting the Douala-N’Djamena and Douala-Bangui corridors. It is a key link for moving goods from the port of Douala to Chad and the Central African Republic.
Upgrading the road is expected to ease traffic flow, lower logistics costs, cut accident rates, and boost economic activity. In the long term, it should give road users better access to services, business opportunities, and regional markets.
