The French Development Agency (AFD) has released a second tranche of CFA12 billion to support the Yaoundé Cœur de ville project, led by the Yaoundé City Council. The announcement was made on April 28, 2026, by Mayor Luc Messi Atangana during a site visit to ongoing construction works aimed at improving urban mobility in Cameroon’s capital.
According to the mayor, the pace of construction has met expectations, allowing the project to secure additional disbursement from its financial partner. The funds have been used to pay contractors involved in the works.
With this latest tranche, total funding disbursed by AFD for the project now stands at CFA21.1 billion, according to city authorities.
Launched on June 11, 2025, at the Mvan site, the project has begun to show visible progress at several key traffic points across the city.
At Mvan, work includes the expansion of the main intersection and the construction of a new bus station nearby. At Elig-Effa, a concrete tunnel already outlines the future design of a grade-separated interchange with a roundabout. Further north, in Messa, the old bus station has been demolished to make way for new infrastructure.
Progress ahead of schedule
City officials report that major structural works have reached 32.2% completion, compared with 30% of the scheduled timeline, ten months after the project began.
Faster-moving works, including minibus terminals near the Treasury and the Jaco building, as well as upgrades at Awae Escalier and Sous-Manguiers intersections, are even further advanced. Their completion rate stands at about 70%, nine months after launch.
Authorities say progress has been supported by compensation payments to affected residents, which have helped speed up site clearance. Agreements totaling more than CFA1.2 billion have been signed, with CFA944.5 million already paid out.
However, some occupants remain on sites already cleared for construction. The mayor said awareness efforts will continue but warned that stricter enforcement could follow if necessary.
A CFA48.5 billion project with social components
The Yaoundé Cœur de ville project represents a total investment of CFA48.5 billion. It is financed by CFA43 billion from AFD and CFA5.5 billion from the Cameroonian government.
The program includes the redesign of key intersections such as Mvan and Elig-Effa, reconstruction of bus stations in Mvan and Messa, upgrades to Awae Escalier and Sous-Manguiers, and the development of two new terminals for minibuses and taxis. It also includes pedestrian pathways on Mount Messa.
Construction has been awarded to Razel Bec Cameroun, with a planned duration of 30 months. The project also includes a social component, with about CFA1 billion allocated for compensation, relocation of traders, and support for restoring livelihoods through small business activities.
While city officials highlight steady progress across multiple sites, the project’s success will depend on maintaining this pace and resolving remaining land clearance issues.
BRM
