Cameroon’s road infrastructure: 2442 km paved, but challenges remain

The Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, presented a mid-term review of Cameroon’s road infrastructure development during a conference at the Government Action Salon (SAGO 2026) in Yaoundé. The session focused on progress made, ongoing projects, and persistent obstacles in this vital sector.

Key achievements and strategic priorities

Addressing media professionals, stakeholders, and visitors, the Minister highlighted the implementation status of the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy. He emphasized the Ministry’s focus on Cameroon’s structuring road network, which serves as the backbone for economic growth and territorial cohesion.

According to the official report, the Public Works Ministry’s initiatives align with the President’s commitments to enhance infrastructure across the country. During the presentation, the Minister revealed that 2,442 kilometers of roads have been paved and 833 kilometers of degraded roads rehabilitated since the strategy’s inception.

Unresolved issues and structural bottlenecks

Despite these advances, significant challenges continue to hinder progress. The Minister identified several critical factors affecting performance:

• Security concerns in certain intervention zones
• Complex financing procedures and delayed fund mobilization
• Extended market award timelines for construction contracts
• Liquidity constraints among contracting companies
• Limited resources allocated to routine road maintenance

Five-year progress and future outlook

The Minister reported a substantial increase in the national paved road network, growing from 8,498 kilometers in 2020 to 10,939 kilometers by the end of 2025. This represents an average annual addition of more than 488 kilometers of new paved roads.

Looking ahead, the Ministry’s 2026 initiatives prioritize:

• Implementation of the President’s Très Hautes Prescriptions
• Strengthening of the structuring road network
• Enhancement of infrastructure quality standards
• Improved territorial connectivity

The Minister’s comprehensive address underscored both the tangible progress and the persistent hurdles in Cameroon’s road infrastructure development, reaffirming the government’s commitment to overcoming these challenges.