The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Douala is moving into an operational phase with the launch of feeder road development along the corridor. During its second 2025 session, held on January 30, the steering committee of the Douala Urban Mobility Project (PMUD) approved the start of works in May 2026. An initial budget of CFA4.7 billion has been allocated for this phase.
The exact length of roads to be developed in 2026 has not yet been finalized. However, PMUD officials said tender notices covering 12.5 km were issued on October 1, 2025. This initial section has been retained for the first phase, with construction costs estimated at CFA4.7 billion, according to information released after the steering committee meeting.
The feeder roads are a key component of the BRT system. They are designed to connect surrounding neighborhoods to BRT stations and terminals, ensuring access to the main corridors and improving the overall efficiency of the network.
Planned works include road rehabilitation, drainage and sanitation improvements, upgrades to public lighting, installation of traffic management systems, and the relocation of utility networks operated by Eneo, Camwater, and Camtel. The program also includes infrastructure for non-motorized transport, such as sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and walkways.
The affected road sections are located in the municipalities of Douala I, II, III, and V. PMUD cited several corridors, including Rhône Poulenc in Maképè to the Marché Sandaga–Carrefour Leclerc section, via Nelson Mandela–Saint Michel, among others.
The project initially planned for 26 km of feeder roads. At the request of the Douala City Council and following a government proposal, the World Bank, the project’s main financier, agreed to increase the planned network to 80 km. The additional funding required has not yet been finalized, and negotiations between the government and the World Bank are ongoing.
The Douala BRT project is estimated to cost CFA335.3 billion overall. Financing includes CFA261 billion from the World Bank, CFA62.1 billion from public-private partnerships, and CFA12.4 billion from the state through the city council. The project includes four BRT lines totaling 28 km, with 48 stations—about one every 500 meters—and five major intermodal hubs located at the former customs headquarters, Ndokoti, PK14, Nelson Mandela, and Yassa.
The BRT is intended to ease congestion in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital and second-largest city, by providing a high-capacity public transport system better connected to residential areas.
Ludovic Amara
