Infrastructure
Priority projects in Cameroon are part of the National Development Strategy (NDS30) and aim to support economic growth and improve the country’s infrastructure. These projects are carried out in various sectors such as energy, transport, telecommunications, and urban infrastructure. Here are some of the priority projects identified for their economic and strategic importance.
Energy
01. Lom Pangar Hydroelectric Project
Details: This project aims to regulate the flow of the Sanaga, Cameroon’s largest river, to optimize electricity production at existing and future dams.
Figures:
– Dam capacity: 6 billion m³ of water.
– Contribution to electricity production: Increase of 120 MW.
– Financing: Approximately $400 million, financed by the World Bank, AfDB, and other partners.
Impact:
– Regulation of the flow of the Sanaga to maximize electricity production at power plants such as Song Loulou and Edéa.
– Increase in energy capacity to support industrial development.
02. Nachtigal Hydroelectric Project
Details: The Nachtigal dam aims to strengthen the electricity supply in the country.
Figures:
– Installed capacity: 420 MW.
– Cost: 1.2 billion euros.
– Financing: Public-private partnership, involving the World Bank, EDF, and local investors.
Impact:
– Electricity production to meet growing demand in industries and households.
– Acceleration of Cameroon’s industrialization and support for mining projects.
03. Memve’ele Hydroelectric Power Station
Details: This project aims to strengthen the energy supply for industry and the export of electricity to neighboring countries.
Figures:
– Installed capacity: 211 MW.
– Cost: Approximately 365 billion FCFA (over 700 million dollars), financed by China and Cameroon.
Impact:
– Reduction of the energy deficit in Cameroon and reduction of power cuts.
– Support for industrial growth and the electrification of rural areas.
04. Song Mbengue Hydroelectric Project
Details: This project aims to build another dam on the Sanaga River to strengthen energy production.
Figures:
– Planned capacity: 1,000 MW.
– Estimated cost: $1.5 billion.
Impact:
– Significant increase in national electricity production capacity.
– Stimulation of the industrial and mining sectors.
05. Grand Eweng Hydroelectric Complex Project
Details: This project involves the construction of one of the largest dams on the Sanaga River to produce electricity.
Figures:
– Planned capacity: 1,800 MW.
– Estimated cost: $2 billion.
– Planned duration: Construction over 7 years.
Impact:
– Significant increase in national energy capacity.
– Export of energy to neighboring countries, strengthening Cameroon’s role as a regional energy hub. Infrastructure.
– Job creation and improvement of rural electrification.
06. Song Dong Hydroelectric Development Project
Details: Hydroelectric dam to increase electricity production to meet national demand and support industrialization.
Figures:
– Planned capacity: 280 MW.
– Estimated cost: $450 million.
Impact:
– Reduction of power cuts in urban and rural areas.
– Contribution to the stabilization of energy supply for businesses and households.
– Support for the development of energy-intensive industries, such as cement and steel plants. Infrastructure.
Transport
01. Yaounde – Douala Highway (Phase 1)
Details: Construction of a 215 km highway linking the two largest cities in Cameroon.
Figures:
– Cost (phase 1: 60 km): Approximately 340 billion FCFA (nearly 600 million dollars).
– Duration of works: Start in 2015, first phase inaugurated in 2020.
Impact:
– Reduction of travel time between Yaoundé and Douala from 3 hours to approximately 90 minutes. Infrastructure.
– Improvement of the movement of goods and people, thus strengthening trade.
02. Yaounde – Nsimalen Highway Construction Project (Phase 2)
Details: Construction of a 20 km highway between Yaoundé and Nsimalen International Airport.
Figures:
– Estimated cost: 200 billion FCFA (approximately $360 million).
– Length: 20 km.
Impact:
– Improved access to Nsimalen International Airport, facilitating air transport.
– Reduced traffic congestion and travel time for passengers and goods.
– Boosted international trade and tourism.
03. Douala – Limbe Highway Construction Project
Details: Construction of a highway linking Douala, the economic capital, to the city of Limbe, in the South-West of the country.
Figures:
– Total length: 70 km.
– Estimated cost: 200 billion FCFA (approximately 360 million dollars).
Impact:
– Reduction of travel time between Douala and Limbe, stimulating trade and tourism in the South-West region.
– Improved access to port and industrial areas. Infrastructure.
– Development of coastal areas and increased attractiveness for investors.
04. Railway Rehabilitation Project
Details: Modernization and rehabilitation of railways to improve rail transport between cities and mining areas.
Figures:
– Estimated cost: 10 billion FCFA for the first phase.
– Length: More than 1,100 km of rehabilitated rails.
Impact:
– Improved mobility of goods, particularly for the transport of minerals, hydrocarbons and agricultural products.
– Reduced logistics costs for mining and agro-industrial industries.
port
01. Kribi Deep Water Port
Details: The Port of Kribi is the largest deep-water port in Cameroon and a major hub for international trade in Central Africa.
Figures:
– Total project cost: Approximately $1.3 billion.
– Capacity: 1.2 million containers per year.
– Depth: 16 meters, allowing the largest ships to dock.
Impact:
– Relieves congestion in the Port of Douala and strengthens the country’s trade capacity.
– Promotes regional and international trade, particularly with the CEMAC sub-region. Infrastructure.
– Increases customs revenue and creates jobs in the Kribi region.
02. Kribi LNG Terminal Construction Project
Details: Construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Kribi to facilitate the export of Cameroonian gas to the international market.
Figures:
– Estimated cost: $2 billion.
– Capacity: 5 million tonnes of LNG per year.
Impact:
– Increased export revenues from the sale of natural gas.
– Strengthening Cameroon’s position as a key LNG supplier in the region.
– Job creation and development of gas infrastructure.
03. Kribi Industrial Zone Development Project
Details: Development of an industrial zone near the deep-water port of Kribi, intended to accommodate strategic industries.
Figures:
– Area: 260 hectares.
– Estimated cost: 500 billion FCFA (nearly 900 million dollars).
Impact:
– Attract foreign investment in industry, logistics, and the processing of raw materials.
– Creation of a regional industrial hub, stimulating local employment and economic growth. Infrastructure.
– Facilitate regional economic integration through more fluid trade.
04. Limbe Industrial and Port Complex Construction Project
Details: This project aims to develop an industrial complex and a port in the coastal city of Limbe, in order to stimulate trade and industrial activities.
Figures:
– Estimated cost: 600 billion FCFA (approximately 1.1 billion dollars).
– Planned capacity: A multifunctional port capable of handling bulk, containers, and hydrocarbons.
Impact:
– Creation of a new industrial hub, strengthening Cameroon’s port capacities.
– Improvement of logistics infrastructure to facilitate exports.
– Creation of local jobs and development of the manufacturing industry.
05. Chad – Cameroon Pipeline Project (Extension)
Details: This project consists of extending the pipeline linking Chad to the port of Kribi to export Chadian oil through Cameroon.
Figures:
– Additional length: 200 km of pipeline.
– Estimated cost: $1 billion for the extension and related facilities.
Impact:
– Increased revenues from the transit of Chadian oil.
– Development of oil and logistics infrastructure in the Kribi region.
– Job creation in the construction and operation of the pipeline.
health
01. Douala General Hospital Construction Project (New Extension)
Details: Extension and modernization of the Douala General Hospital to make it a reference center for specialized health care.
Figures:
– Estimated cost: 50 billion FCFA (approximately 90 million dollars).
– Capacity: 300 new specialized beds.
Impact:
– Improved access to specialized health care for the Cameroonian population.
– Reduced medical evacuations abroad.
– Job creation in the health sector and improved training of local health professionals.
telecommunication
01. Fiber Optic Project(Central African Backbone – CAB)
Details: This project aims to connect Cameroon to neighboring countries and improve access to the internet and telecommunications.
Figures:
– Cost: 44 billion FCFA (about 80 million dollars).
– Network length: More than 12,000 km of optical fiber deployed across the country.
Impact:
– Improved internet connectivity, with a direct impact on the digital sector and SMEs.
– Accelerated digitalization and facilitated online commercial and banking transactions.
industry
01. Olembe Industrial Complex
Details: Construction of a 60,000-seat stadium and a sports complex in Yaoundé, for international competitions.
Figures:
– Cost: More than 163 billion FCFA (approximately $300 million).
– Capacity: 60,000 seats.
Impact:
– Contribution to the development of Cameroon’s sports infrastructure.
– Indirect economic impact through sports tourism, the organization of international events and job creation.
02. Edea Aluminum Processing Industrial Complex Project
Details: This project aims to develop an industrial complex for the transformation of aluminum, in partnership with foreign investors.
Figures:
– Planned capacity: Production of 100,000 tons of aluminum per year.
– Estimated cost: $300 million.
Impact:
– Increased aluminum production capacity to support the local manufacturing industry.
– Increased export of processed aluminum, increasing export revenues.
– Job creation in the industrial sector and development of the value chain.
Overall Impact of these Projects on the Cameroonian Economy
These structuring projects have contributed significantly to:
Economic growth: With an annual contribution of 4 to 5% to GDP growth, particularly in the energy, infrastructure and services sectors.
Job creation: Several tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs have been created in the construction and operation phases of these projects.
Reduction of the energy deficit: The energy projects (Lom Pangar, Memve’ele, Nachtigal) have improved the electricity supply, which is essential for industrialization.
Improvement of transport infrastructure: The modernization of roads, ports and railways facilitates trade and strengthens the country’s competitiveness in the region.
In conclusion, these structuring projects aim to transform the Cameroonian economy by improving basic infrastructure and supporting long-term growth. They are important levers for economic development, industrialization and improving living conditions in Cameroon.
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