Ashoka Buildcon pitches integrated bypass plan for Yaoundé at 1.26 trillion XAF

An ambitious urban bypass project in Yaoundé has captured the attention of Ashoka Buildcon Limited, an Indian infrastructure giant. The company has submitted a comprehensive proposal to Cameroon’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for a 1.26 trillion XAF (excluding taxes) integrated package covering design, construction, and financial structuring. The proposal was formally presented on June 9 during a high-level meeting with ministry officials.

Vinit Chitale, Ashoka Buildcon’s Global Business Development Head, outlined a turnkey Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model. Under this arrangement, the company would oversee all technical, procurement, and construction phases while also assisting in securing the necessary funding—a critical component given the project’s incomplete financing structure.

90-kilometer ring road to ease congestion in Cameroon’s capital

The proposed bypass spans 90.54 kilometers in a dual 2-lane configuration, traversing four departments: Mfoundi, Lékié, Mefou-et-Afamba, and Mefou-et-Akono. The expansive design allows for potential upgrades to expressway or dedicated bus rapid transit corridors. The route is divided into four segments: Mbankomo to Nkolméyang, Nkolméyang to Nkozoa, Nkozoa to Minkoameyos, and Minkoameyos back to Mbankomo.

The project includes 16 interchanges, multiple elevated structures, and hydraulic works to enhance safety along the corridor. Official estimates place the purely road-related costs at 794.7 billion XAF (excluding taxes), with an additional 469 billion XAF allocated for urban development in Mbankomo, Mfou, Soa, and Okola. The total estimated investment reaches 1.26 trillion XAF (excluding taxes).

On a per-kilometer basis, the road infrastructure alone represents approximately 8.8 billion XAF, while the inclusion of urban poles pushes the cost to around 14 billion XAF per kilometer—a figure that underscores the project’s unprecedented scale in Central Africa.

The T3 section: a technical showcase for European lenders

Given the challenges of funding all four segments simultaneously, Cameroon’s government has prioritized the 22.8-kilometer T3 section, linking Nkozoa on National Road 1 to Minkoameyos at the Yaoundé-Douala highway exit. This segment is expected to intercept a significant portion of transit traffic before it enters the capital, easing pressure on central roads.

The European Union and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have shown strong interest in T3. However, their final commitment hinges on unresolved technical, environmental, and social prerequisites, including compensation payments, impact assessments, and the completion of a resettlement action plan. Ashoka Buildcon’s integrated proposal could provide additional flexibility in structuring the financing framework for Yaoundé’s bypass.

Key uncertainties remain, including the exact legal framework of the contract, financial terms, potential state guarantees, and how the Indian firm’s proposal aligns with European lenders’ existing commitments. A hybrid model combining concessional European financing for T3 and Indian funding for other segments remains under consideration.

Ashoka Buildcon: a diversified Indian infrastructure powerhouse

Ashoka Buildcon Limited stands as one of India’s leading road infrastructure developers, operating across EPC, public-private partnerships (PPP), Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models, and the Hybrid Annuity Model—a financing mechanism where the state covers part of the investment while the operator repays the balance through annuities. Beyond roads, the group has expanded into energy, rail, and construction sectors.

For Cameroonian authorities, Ashoka Buildcon’s appeal lies in its ability to merge engineering, execution, and financial structuring into a single, cohesive offer. However, no decision has been made yet. This proposal marks a step forward in a project that, despite its technical maturity, has faced persistent delays in financial closure. The true test will be transforming years of planning into an active construction site. While the search for partners continues, the Indian firm’s initiative arrives at a pivotal moment for Cameroon’s urban mobility ambitions.