Road traffic accidents cost Cameroon an estimated FCFA 800 billion each year, the Minister of Transport revealed on Monday, 26 January, as the government reviewed the 2025 performance of the transport sector and set priorities for 2026. Presenting the sectoral review, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport said Cameroon recorded an estimated 4 per cent economic growth rate in 2025, despite a challenging international environment, with transport identified as a strategic contributor in line with the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (NDS30).
In the road transport sub-sector, reforms to the production and issuance of secured transport documents led to the production of 459,299 titles, generating FCFA 7.135 billion in secured revenue, compared with a previous annual average of about FCFA 1.5 billion. The reform resulted in an 80 per cent reduction in vehicles awaiting registration and a 90 per cent drop in drivers circulating without a valid licence.
Driver training data showed 197,533 candidates registered for driving examinations in 2025, with 149,851 admissions, representing a 75.86 per cent pass rate, up by 16.67 percentage points. The year also saw the approval of 115 new vehicle prototypes, the creation of 80 new driving schools, bringing the national total to 1,227, alongside new accreditations for transport companies and vehicle inspection centres.
Regarding road safety, the ministry conducted 11,410 control operations nationwide, supported by two national awareness campaigns. These actions led to sanctions against 22 transport companies and the suspension of 1,336 driving licences. The introduction of artificial-intelligence-based solutions enabled the detection of 195,905 risk factors within a few months, contributing to a reported downward trend in fatal accidents on major road corridors.
Air, sea and rail traffic figures
In air transport, passenger traffic reached 1,794,857 travellers, reflecting a 4.69 per cent increase over the previous year. Key actions included continued airport certification processes, the renewal of the Yaounde-Nsimalen International Airport certificate, project maturation for the Bertoua, Tiko and Kribi airports, and strengthened international cooperation marked by the Cameroon-Qatar air services agreement and participation in the 42nd ICAO General Assembly.
Maritime and port traffic rose from 23.03 million tonnes to 23.76 million tonnes, a 3 per cent increase, alongside measures to enhance maritime security, environmental protection and compliance with international conventions such as MARPOL, the IMDG Code and ballast water regulations. Preparatory work advanced on the Maritime Single Window and the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006). In rail transport, freight traffic stood at 1.534 million tonnes. At the same time, passenger numbers reached 947,202, up 9.23 per cent, with progress reported on the Mbalam-Kribi railway project and the renewal of 238 km of track on the Douala-Yaounde line.
The review also highlighted progress in meteorology through the modernisation of the national network, regular multi-risk and climate-health bulletins, data transmission to regional and international systems, and partnerships, including one with FEICOM, benefiting local councils. On governance, internet connectivity reached 70 per cent of central services, the TRANSTAT 2025 statistical yearbook was produced, and planning, audit and anti-corruption actions were reinforced.
Closing the ceremony, the Minister of Transport acknowledged the 2025 results and outlined 2026 priorities, including intensified road safety prevention, expanded digital controls, intelligent offence detection systems, continued airport certification, the revival of CAMAIR-Co, progress on the Mbalam-Kribi railway, expansion of the Port of Kribi, modernisation of Douala-Bonabéri Port, restructuring of CNIC, and further densification of the national meteorological network.
Mercy Fosoh
