(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroon’s public housing developer, the Cameroon Housing Corporation, (SIC), has signed a partnership agreement with Portuguese multinational A1V2 to construct 110 new housing units in Garoua, marking a major step in the country’s affordable housing drive. The agreement, signed in Yaounde, forms part of SIC’s broader plan to deliver 554 housing units across Cameroon under a public-private partnership framework.
According to SIC Director General Dr Ahmadou Sardaouna, construction of the first 110 homes in Garoua is expected to begin by December 2025, following the completion of the tender process. The project aligns with Cameroon’s national housing strategy, which seeks to address an urban housing deficit estimated at over 1.8 million units by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
Dr Sardaouna explained that SIC intends to finance additional phases of the programme directly. “The company has taken upon itself to fund the remaining housing projects,” he said. “Out of the 554 identified units, 110 have already been tendered and will begin simultaneously by December. We will also conclude specific agreements to continue implementation across all identified sites.” The SIC currently manages more than 1,000 hectares of land nationwide, according to official data, providing a strong base for expansion into new cities such as Garoua, Bertoua and Ngaoundere.
A1V2, the Portuguese consortium leading the construction, brings over 30 years of experience in infrastructure and urban development projects across Africa, including Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde. Speaking after the signing ceremony, A1V2 Chief Executive Luis Casaleiro reaffirmed the company’s commitment to quality and timely delivery: “We are a company with the capacity to deliver. That means we will do everything possible to ensure the proper execution of this project.”
The Garoua housing scheme forms part of Cameroon’s long-term strategy to expand access to affordable homes through public-private partnerships (PPP). Government data show that between 2010 and 2023, fewer than 15,000 public housing units were completed nationwide, against an annual demand of 100,000 new homes.
The SIC’s collaboration with A1V2 therefore signals renewed efforts to accelerate housing delivery in the northern regions, where population growth and rural migration continue to increase pressure on urban infrastructure. Once complete, the 110 units are expected to serve as a model for future PPP-led developments, combining public financing and private sector expertise to scale up affordable housing across Cameroon’s regional capitals.
Mercy Fosoh
