Cameroon Government to Cover VAT for Douala BRT Project

The Cameroonian government will cover VAT on certain purchases for the Douala Urban Mobility Project (PMUD), a step that could help narrow a CFA104.6 billion funding gap and preserve the planned scope and performance of the city’s future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. According to officials at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (Minepat), Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey confirmed to Douala Mayor Roger Mbassa Ndiné that the state would cover VAT on purchases of goods and services covered by project contracts. The expense will come from a budget line reserved for state contributions to VAT, customs duties and taxes on jointly financed housing and urban development projects. The measure comes as the PMUD Steering Committee works to secure financing for an additional 66.8 km of feeder roads around the BRT’s pilot corridor. Those works would bring the road network that feeds passengers into the mass-transit system to about 80 km. As of July 17, 2026, the estimated cost required to complete the project stood at CFA365.4 billion including taxes, compared with CFA260.8 billion in initially available financing. That leaves a CFA104.6 billion shortfall if authorities retain the ...