The project to build a second bridge over the Benoue River in Garoua, northern Cameroon, remains pending presidential authorization to proceed under a sole-source contracting procedure. The approval is being awaited at the Ministry of Public Contracts, according to the Ministry of Public Works (Mintp).
The contract is valued at CFA201.4 billion, based on the Mintp’s 2026 estimate. Financing is expected to be provided by Deutsche Bank SAE, in line with the agreement signed in May 2024.
Included in the Mintp’s 2026 Work Plan, the project aims to advance this year with the construction of the second bridge and a bypass road in the Benoue division of the North region (Phase 1). First announced in 2022, the project has faced administrative constraints that have delayed its transition to execution.
Indemnification decree pending
Beyond the sole-source authorization, the Mintp is also awaiting the signing of an indemnification decree by the Prime Minister. These two documents — the compensation decree and the green light for the exceptional procurement procedure — currently represent the main bottlenecks identified by the administration before moving to the next stages.
Technically, the project involves building a 550-meter bridge along with an 11.7-kilometer access road. The ministry describes the works as strategic for improving access to Garoua and easing traffic flows in this part of northern Cameroon, while noting that the timeline remains dependent on compliance with procedural requirements.
2026 roadmap
To accelerate progress, the Mintp has set a 2026 roadmap that includes close monitoring of the indemnification decree at the Ministry of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure and at the Prime Minister’s Office; securing presidential authorization for the sole-source procedure through the Ministry of Public Contracts; and establishing the bid evaluation committee for both the contractor and the supervision mission.
The ministry also plans to follow up with the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development to ensure the mobilization of financing and secure the resources needed to launch construction.
In May 2024, the Ministry of Public Works signed an agreement with a consortium of Spanish companies — Levantina Ingeniería y Construcción S.L. and Tecopy-Lic — for the project’s execution. The same agreement stipulated financing by Deutsche Bank SAE, although additional lenders could join the project.
Ludovic Amara
