By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has granted FCFA 139.2 billion (€212.35 million) to Cameroon to finance the rehabilitation of the Douala–Bafoussam road corridor, in a move expected to improve road safety, ease the movement of goods and people, and open up production areas.
The financing agreement for the DoualaBafoussam Road Rehabilitation Project (PRRDB) was signed on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 12 to 18, 2026.
Cameroons Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Alamine Ousmane Mey, signed on behalf of the government, while IsDB President, Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, represented the bank.
The project aims to improve traffic conditions and road safety along National Road No. 5 (RN5), a key transport route linking Douala, in the Littoral Region, to Bafoussam, in the West Region.
It comprises two main components. The first involves rehabilitating the main DoualaBafoussam route, particularly the section between the Bekoko Interchange, the Nkam Bridge and the Bandjoun Interchange.
The works will also include an approximately five-kilometre dual-carriageway extension on the western access road into Douala and repairs to critical trouble spots along the existing route.
The second component covers complementary infrastructure intended to improve traffic flow and access to production areas. This includes paving approximately 30 kilometres of bypass roads around Bafoussam, the 54-kilometre BafangNkondjock road and the 35-kilometre LoumTombelKumba road. The project will also provide socio-economic infrastructure.
Aligned with Cameroons National Development Strategy 20202030 (SND30), the project is expected to reduce transport bottlenecks, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce from the West Region to major consumption centres and strengthen trade with neighbouring countries.
It is also expected to improve access to isolated production areas, stimulate economic activities along the roads and expand local communities access to development opportunities.
The financing follows negotiations between the IsDB and the Cameroonian government that began in April 2026. Its signing was authorised by Presidential Decree No. 2026/32 of 2 October 2026, which empowered Minister Mey to sign an instalment sale agreement with the bank.
The agreement had previously been approved by the IsDB during its annual meeting in Algiers, Algeria, from May 19 to 22, 2025.
The latest financing marks another milestone in cooperation between Cameroon and the IsDB. Speaking on behalf of President Paul Biya, the government and the Cameroonian people, Minister Mey expressed gratitude to the banks leadership for its continued support and latest contribution to the countrys development efforts.