Chinese Firms Secure 66% of Northern Cameroon Road Contracts

• Chinese companies hold contracts worth nearly CFAF 306 billion for road construction in Northern Cameroon.
• This represents 66% of the total CFAF 465 billion in major road projects across the Adamawa, North, and Far North regions.
• Chinese contractors are executing 10 out of 16 major contracts, including the Ngaoundéré-Garoua road and Maroua-Bogo-Pouss road.
• Projects are funded by the African Development Bank, EU, World Bank, and the Cameroonian government.
• Despite significant awards, projects like Ngaoundéré-Garoua show less than 5% completion after 10 months, indicating slow progress.

Despite the substantial financial commitments and the awarding of numerous contracts to foreign contractors, particularly Chinese firms, a notable disparity exists between the scale of these awards and the actual progress on the ground.

Chinese companies have secured a significant majority of major road construction contracts across Cameroon's northern regions, encompassing Adamawa, North, and Far North. These firms are currently responsible for projects valued at nearly CFAF 306 billion. This substantial figure represents approximately 66% of the total CFAF 465 billion allocated for major road initiatives presently underway in these critical areas.

According to a document from the Public Works Ministry, which was reviewed by Business in Cameroon, Chinese contractors are executing 10 out of the 16 major contracts identified within these regions. Their involvement spans several key infrastructure programs designed to enhance connectivity and development. These include the extensive reconstruction efforts on the Ngaoundéré-Garoua road, the construction of the Maroua-Bogo-Pouss road, and rehabilitation work on the Maroua-Moutourwa and Magada-Yagoua sections, which fall under the broader Far North Territorial Development Project (PAT). Additionally, Chinese firms are engaged in the rehabilitation of the Mora-Kousseri road, highlighting their widespread presence in Cameroon's infrastructure contracts.

The financing for these ambitious road projects is a collaborative effort, drawing on significant contributions from international development partners alongside the Cameroonian government. Key financial backing comes from the African Development Bank, the European Union, and the World Bank, complemented by counterpart funding provided by the local government. This multi-source funding model underscores the strategic importance of these projects for regional development.

Despite the substantial financial commitments and the awarding of numerous contracts to foreign contractors, particularly Chinese firms, a notable disparity exists between the scale of these awards and the actual progress on the ground. Several projects have experienced considerable delays and slow execution. For instance, all five lots comprising the Ngaoundéré-Garoua road reconstruction project were awarded to Chinese companies. However, a full ten months after work commenced, none of these individual lots have achieved more than 5% completion, raising concerns about the efficiency of these Cameroon Public Works Ministry contracts. Similarly, on the Magada-Yagoua section, the consortium of Sinohydro and Stecol has only managed to complete between 14% and 19% of their assigned work, further illustrating the challenges faced in project implementation.

The significant presence of Chinese firms in Northern Cameroon road contracts, while indicative of substantial investment, also brings into focus the critical issue of project delivery. The contrast between the high value of contracts awarded and the observed slow progress on key routes like the Ngaoundéré-Garoua road project delays could have broader implications for Cameroon's infrastructure development goals. Effective and timely completion of these vital transportation links is essential for economic growth, regional integration, and improving the livelihoods of communities in the Adamawa, North, and Far North regions.

The current situation prompts a closer examination of public procurement processes involving foreign contractors and the oversight mechanisms in place. While international financing from institutions like the African Development Bank is crucial for such large-scale endeavors, the efficiency of project execution remains paramount. Ensuring that these substantial investments translate into tangible and timely infrastructure improvements is a key challenge for the Cameroonian government and its development partners.

Source: Original reporting via Business in Cameroon