Central and West Africa Road Corridors

The potential project concerns the road interconnection of the cities of Douala, Yaoundé and Bafoussam forming part of or improving access to 3 regional corridors. The connection Douala – Yaoundé is the first portion of the Cameroon  - Bangui (CAR) corridor and of the Cameroon – N’Djamena (Chad) corridor. The road link Douala – Bafoussam connects to the Bamenda (Cameroon) – Enugu (Nigeria) corridor. 

The existing 2-lane roads are in generally good structural condition but they can no longer handle the growing long distance heavy traffic without major safety and comfort issues. The traffic data from 2006 shows approximately 7,000 vehicles/day of which 40% of trucks between Douala and Yaoundé and about 6,000 vehicles/day between Douala and Bafoussam. Projections show that road capacity levels will be reached by 2015. 

The ITF Grant would be used to finance three phases of successive studies to explore the different options for the interconnection of the cities of Douala, Yaoundé and Bafoussam.  

• The first phase includes pre-feasibility studies to confirm the need for the project and to propose the best option (several layouts to be examined).
• The second phase includes feasibility studies of the option selected at pre-feasibility stage, to explore the technical, economical, financial, environmental & social and legal feasibility.
• The third phase is conditional to the positive outcome of the feasibility studies and includes detailed technical studies and preparation of the tendering documents. The detailed technical studies will include an Environmental Impact Assessment as well as an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).