The road and rail infrastructure development project of the Douala-Ndjamena corridor linking Cameroon to Chad with a total investment of 471 billion FCFA, or 816 million dollars is on the right track. The World Bank (WB) has approved financing of 311 billion FCFA (538 million dollars) consisting of a loan of 181 billion FCFA (313 million dollars) for Cameroon and a grant of 130 billion FCFA ($225 million) for Chad.
The first disbursements will be available this year, assured the World Bank. While the works should be delivered in 2031 in accordance with the specifications agreed by this international financial institution and the two countries.
The European Union (EU), also a development partner involved in the project, plans a disbursement of 101 billion FCFA (175 million dollars) for the benefit of Chad, including a loan of 75 billion FCFA (130 million dollars). from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and a grant of 26 billion FCFA (45 million dollars) from the European Development Fund (EDF). The rest of the envelope, i.e. 60 billion FCFA, should be mobilized by Cameroon Railways (CAMRAIL), the subsidiary of the Bolloré group and concessionaire of rail transport in Cameroon, which plans to extend the railway line to Chad.
According to the World Bank, the Douala-Ndjamena corridor concentrates 35% of the GDP of the two countries. An important axis for the economy of the sub-region in search of reliable communication infrastructure to improve intra-community trade in the CEMAC zone (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa) which oscillates around 3% only.