(Business in Cameroon) – President Paul Biya appointed Tsanga Mba Willie on November 28 as head of the National Port Authority (APN). He replaces Louis Eboubeke, who died on December 18, 2024.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Tsanga Mba Willie had served as technical adviser at the APN since January 2015, after working as director of communication. He is therefore one of the officials most familiar with the institution’s operational and regulatory framework.
The appointment comes as the port sector posted mixed results in 2024: a slight decline in traffic but progress on infrastructure and operational efficiency. Total domestic and transit cargo in Cameroon’s ports fell by 1%, from 27.15 million tons in 2023 to 26.93 million in 2024.
The Port of Douala, the country’s main maritime hub, showed a more positive trend. Its import–export traffic rose 6% to 12.92 million tons in 2024, up from 12.19 million in 2023, a gain of 723,425 tons. This growth strengthens its position as Cameroon’s leading port and a strategic platform for subregional trade. Kribi’s traffic remained stable at 10.84 million tons, while Limbe recorded a sharp 23% drop, equal to a loss of 957,162 tons over one year.
The report highlights continued port infrastructure modernization. In Douala, construction and rehabilitation works accelerated to improve competitiveness and operational fluidity. The goal is to reduce congestion, optimize handling capacity, and increase the port’s appeal for regional cargo flows.
In Limbe, the deep-water port project in Ngeme remains in preparation, with feasibility studies being updated. These projects aim to expand Cameroon’s maritime capacity, diversify access points to the sea, and improve service to inland and neighboring markets.
With this appointment, several challenges lie ahead: boosting the performance of weaker ports, speeding up major infrastructure projects, and strengthening Cameroon’s competitiveness against emerging hubs in the region. The APN’s ability to coordinate investments, improve operational efficiency, and stabilize the regulatory framework will be key.
Tsanga Mba Willie, backed by his long internal experience with the institution, takes office at a pivotal moment. His success will depend on combining clear strategic direction with strong execution in a sector where each gain in competitiveness matters for national and regional supply chains.
Amina Malloum
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