According to the Bank’s website, the Programme for Unlocking and Connectivity of Cross-Border Economic Basins in the East Region of Cameroon – Phase 1 focuses on the upgrading and paving of the Ngoura II–Yokadouma road section over a length of 156 km along National Road No. 10, a strategic corridor linking Cameroon to the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo. The total cost of the project amounts to EUR 309.93 million. The project is fully financed by the African Development Bank through a sovereign loan from the Bank window, while the Government of Cameroon covers taxes, customs duties, security arrangements, and in-kind contributions related to project implementation. The project forms part of a broader regional connectivity programme aimed at strengthening cross-border trade corridors and economic integration in Central Africa.

The objective of the project is to contribute to the internal and external unlocking of Cameroon’s eastern territory, strengthen sustainable private investments, and promote industrialization through the development of high-potential local and regional value chains. At sector level, the project seeks to improve transport service levels, logistics performance, and climate resilience along the Batouri–Ngoura II–Yokadouma–Moloundou–Congo border corridor. By rehabilitating a critical road link and delivering complementary infrastructure, skills development, and institutional support, the project aims to reduce transport costs and travel time, enhance road safety, facilitate access to markets for agricultural producers, and support regional integration in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The direct beneficiary of the project is the Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Public Works, which will benefit from improved transport infrastructure and strengthened institutional capacity. Indirect beneficiaries include an estimated population of over 320,000 people living in the project’s zone of influence across the Kadey and Boumba-et-Ngoko departments, including women, youth, refugees, and vulnerable groups. Additional beneficiaries include farmers, agro-processors, traders, transport operators, forest and mining sector actors, and cross-border traders who will benefit from improved mobility, reduced logistics costs, and better access to markets and services. At regional level, communities and economic actors in neighboring Central African Republic and Republic of Congo will also benefit from enhanced connectivity and trade facilitation along the corridor.

Environmental Category: [1] High Risk

Given the nature of the PDCBET activities, notably the construction of a new 156 km road and a 195 m bridge over the Kadey River, and the sensitivity of the programme implementation area, as well as the negative E&S risks and impacts that may result, the categorical classification corresponds to Category 1 of E&S risk in accordance with the provisions of the Bank’s ISS. This is due to the environmental and social risks and impacts inherent in the proposed activities, as well as the significant risks of involuntary resettlement of populations that the programme implementation may entail.

The total cost of the project amounts to EUR 309.93 million. The project is fully financed by the African Development Bank through a sovereign loan from the Bank window, while the Government of Cameroon covers taxes, customs duties, security arrangements, and in-kind contributions related to project implementation.

Financial Instrument: Project (Loan)
Commitments (UA): 266,134,849
Conversion Rate USD (2026-02-17): 1,35728
Commitments (USD): 361,219,507.90

Name: Olaya Dègnon Cestmir Albé HOUSSOU
Email: a.houssou@afdb.org

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/request-for-documents. Under the AfDBs Disclosure and Access to Information policy, if you feel the Bank has omitted to publish information or your request for information is unreasonably denied, you can file an appeal at https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/appeals-process.

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF AfDB

The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), which is administered by the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU), is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an African Development Bank (AfDB)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the IRM, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a dispute resolution dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the AfDB complied with its policies to prevent environmental and social harms. You can submit a complaint electronically by emailing crmuinfo@afdb.org, b.kargougou@afdb.org, b.fall@afdb.org, and/or s.toure@afdb.org. You can learn more about the IRM and how to file a complaint at: https://www.afdb.org/en/independent-review-mechanism/