PM Dion Ngute lays Foundation Stone
By Ngalame Elias
The government has launched construction of a new 500-hectare industrial zone near the River Dibamba-Douala, following a partnership between the Indian group Arise and the Port Autonome de Douala (PAD). Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute chaired the launching ceremony on July 24, 2025, at the site on the banks of the Dibamba River.
The laying of the foundation stone by the Prime Minister government says, marks the takeoff of the recently conceived project while that of the Limbe deep seaport whose feasibility studies was announced since January 14, 2008 and protocol agreement with two Korean companies signed February l8,2008 still remains a pipe dream.
It should be recalled that media reports stated two Korean companies had since confirmed completion of feasibility studies on two projects in Limbe in 2008, the deep seaport and the Cement factory.
Unfortunately the ultra-modern cement complex went to Douala instead. The Kribi sea port took priority over the Limbe more than half a century-old project.
The prioritizing of Dibamba River Port project over Limbe deep seaport has ignited fresh concerns about the region’s development trajectory, particularly as it follows a pattern of high-profile projects being redirected from Limbe. The Deep Sea Port, a cement factory, and a bitumen plant all re-directed to Kribi.
The CFA230 billion Dibamba project will unfold in two phases. The first phase, led by the Dibamba Douala Port Logistics Platform (DDLP)—a joint venture between PAD and Arise IIP—will develop a 100-hectare multimodal logistics hub over two years. Estimated at CFA160 billion, this phase will include road, rail, and river infrastructure as well as warehouse facilities, and is projected to create 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The second, 36-month phase will focus on building a 350-hectare industrial port zone, including agro-industrial units, a timber park, and a fishing port. It is valued at CFA70 billion.
Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Ngute called the project “a major turning point in Cameroon’s economic history.” It is expected to create up to 500,000 jobs and contribute to building an industrial ecosystem and multimodal transport hub connected to the Douala port and hinterland via the Dibamba River and railway links.
The initiative forms part of Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (SND 20–30), which seeks to boost industrialization and ease pressure on the Douala port system.
The CFA230billion project aims to transform Cameroon’s logistics and industrial capacity, creating up to 500,000 jobs.
Highlights
Phase one: 100-ha logistics zone over 24 months, worth CFA160 bln
Phase two: 350-ha industrial port zone to follow over 36 months
Project aligns with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020–2030
