(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Works (Mintp) has reported the successful construction and completion of 2,075.19 kilometers of new roads between 2016 and 2023. These road projects have been spread across various regions of the country, contributing to essential infrastructure that supports the nation’s economic and social development.
Some of the key achievements include the Numba-Bachuo-Akagbe road (52.5 km) and the Bamenda-Batibo-Numba road (63 km) in the North West region. These roads are vital for transportation and have strengthened the Bamenda-Enugu corridor, which connects Cameroon to Nigeria.
Another major project is the Edéa-Kribi road (Lot 1), which spans 38.5 km and links the town of Edéa to the deep-water port of Kribi in the South region. This road improves access to the port, which is crucial for economic activity.
The construction of these roads has also opened up rural areas and improved traffic flow in major cities, such as with the development of the East and West entrances to Douala. The ongoing construction of the Yaoundé-Douala highway (60 km, Phase 1) is expected to further enhance the connection between the political capital and the country’s economic hub.
The Ministry also highlighted other significant projects, such as the Olama-Kribi road (106.15 km), designed to ease the transport of heavy goods between Kribi’s port and Yaoundé, and the rehabilitation of the Maroua-Bogo road (34.84 km) in the Far North, which connects Maroua to key agricultural and fishing zones.
The approach roads to the Paul Biya Monument (5.26 km) have been completed, further improving internal and regional connectivity, which boosts trade and the movement of people.
As of December 31, 2023, the Ministry of Public Works announced on social media that Cameroon now has 10,234.94 kilometers of paved roads. However, Minister Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi clarified in an interview in February 2024 that the actual total of paved roads is 10,225.58 kilometers, which represents just 8.39% of the country’s total road network, which covers 121,873 kilometers.
Of the paved roads, more than half (5,798.69 km) are national roads. Highways account for 109 km, while regional roads cover 1,606.08 km, and municipal roads total 2,711.81 km. Although the figures show significant progress, authorities acknowledge that much remains to be done to modernize and expand the road network, especially in remote areas, to support national economic growth and improve transport infrastructure.
As part of its National Development Strategy (SND30) for 2020-2030, Cameroon aims to pave at least 6,000 km of new roads by 2030. To meet this goal, the government plans to accelerate road construction, with a target of paving 1,888.72 km of new roads between 2024 and 2026. The Integrated Multimodal Transport Infrastructure Strategy (S2ITM) sets ambitious annual targets: 656.96 km in 2024, 414.6 km in 2025, and 817.16 km in 2026. These projects are expected to strengthen the country’s regional and international integration while supporting economic growth and facilitating the transportation of people and goods.
