Cameroon has secured a $75 million loan, about CFA42 billion, from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to finance the rehabilitation of the Sorawel–Dourbey road in the country’s northern region. The agreement was signed on March 23, 2026, in Yaoundé by Economy Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey and SFD Chief Executive Sultan Al-Marshad.
The financing comes on concessional terms, meaning favorable conditions including a low interest rate and an extended repayment period. Authorities describe the project as a key piece of infrastructure for regional integration.
The Sorawel–Dourbey road is seen as a strategic corridor linking Cameroon with Nigeria and Chad. The upgrade is expected to improve the movement of people and goods across borders in a region where infrastructure gaps continue to weigh on trade.
According to the Saudi Fund for Development, the project is designed to reduce isolation and strengthen both domestic and cross-border connectivity by modernizing road infrastructure and making trade flows easier between the three countries.
The plan includes rebuilding a 77-kilometer stretch into a dual-lane roadway, with a focus on improving road safety and transport efficiency. The lender says the investment should help ease travel and reduce logistical constraints along the corridor.
Beyond the road itself, the project reflects a broader push to open up landlocked areas and support regional trade, at a time when Cameroon continues to face significant infrastructure financing needs.
Ludovic Amara
