AfDB and MINEPAT Boss signing agreement
By Ruth Ebai
Cameroon and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have just written a new chapter in their economic cooperation history. The both signed two financial agreements worth 216 billion CFA francs on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Yaoundé. The Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey, and the Acting Director General of the AfDB Group for the Central Africa Region, Solomane Koné signed the agreement. The agreement Mnister Alamine Ousmane Mey said marks significant step forward in the reconstruction of the Ngaoundéré-Garoua road.
The ceremony that was rich in color and symbolism, brought together several members of the government, governors of the Adamawa and North regions, parliamentarians, and local elected officials.
The signing of two loan agreements to finance the Transport Sector Support Program Phase IV: Reconstruction of the Douala-Ndjamena Economic Corridor, Ngaoundéré-Garoua Section, is the culmination of a collective dream, driven by the determination of the Government and the unwavering commitment of the African Development Bank.
“This road project marks a new era in Cameroon’s march toward economic and social progress,” Minister Alamine says.
It is part of Phase IV of the Transport Sector Support Program (PAST4) and constitutes a strategic initiative to strengthen Cameroon’s economic and social development. The financing covers a total length of 240.85 km and includes the construction of three interchanges, the rehabilitation of roads serving agricultural areas, and the establishment of related socio-economic infrastructure.
These developments aim to promote economic inclusion, create employment opportunities for youth and women, and optimize the agro-pastoral and commercial potential of the areas concerned.
With a total cost of the works at 221.6 billion FCFA, the AfDB is contributing 97% of the budget (216.78 billion), compared to 3% for the State of Cameroon in counterpart funds. The idea is to ensure better economic inclusion and provide more employment opportunities to the beneficiary populations, particularly young people and women. For the Minister of Economy, “the reconstruction of the Ngaoundéré-Garoua section is a cardinal grievance of the populations which has not failed to retain the constant solicitude of the Head of State, H.E. Paul BIYA, who listens to his people.” It is of crucial interest for the competitiveness of the Cameroonian economy, thanks to better connectivity and easy mobility. In better condition, this road, built in the 90s and which is now at the end of its life cycle, will allow for better development of the agro-pastoral and commercial potential of the territories crossed. The positive externalities of this project will also be reflected in the sub-regional integration process, as it will improve the mobility of people and goods between Cameroon and Chad, thus contributing to the boosting of cross-border trade between the two countries.
According to Alamine Ousmane Mey, steps have been taken to ensure the effective start of work in April 2025. Advance Procurement Actions have enabled the launch of calls for tenders and the adoption of the procurement plan. Similarly, the work has been divided into five phases to compress the project implementation timeframe.
This proactive approach by the Government was praised by the Acting Director General of the AfDB.
“This allows for a rapid start of work and project execution within the agreed timeframe, with a view to transforming the Cameroonian economy and the lives of its people,” said Solomane Kone.
He emphasized the integrative nature of the project at the national and sub-regional levels, while noting that this new project brings the cooperation portfolio between his institution and Cameroon to more than 1,600 billion FCFA.
It should be noted that the Transport Sector Support Program Phase IV was approved by the AfDB Group’s Board of Directors during its meeting on December 13, 2024.
This program is aligned with the guidelines of the SND30 and the AfDB Group’s new ten-year strategy for the period 2024-2033.
It aims to amplify the impacts of the Bank’s interventions in Cameroon’s transport sector, following a holistic approach. This includes improving the performance of the national road network and the emergence of a competitive private sector, especially in agro-industry, transport and logistics along the Douala- Ndjamena corridor.
Participants at the agreement signing ceremony
