World Bank Approves US$1.12 Billion Program to Modernize the Douala–Bangui Economic Corridor

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2026 - The World Bank Group Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$1.12 billion Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) program to transform the Douala-Bangui corridor, with a first phase of US$525 million targeting priority infrastructure rehabilitation, road safety, and maintenance reforms in Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), and at the regional CEMAC level.

The Douala-Bangui corridor, stretching over 1,400 kilometers, is the economic backbone of Cameroon and a critical lifeline for the CAR, carrying more than 80 percent of the country's external trade. Despite its strategic importance, the corridor suffers from deteriorated roads, transport costs as high as US$270 per ton, journey times of 9 to 12 days under normal conditions, and 38 checkpoints in Cameroon alone - 17 of which involve informal payments. These barriers choke trade, raise consumer prices, undermine food security, and keep millions of people isolated from economic opportunity. By rehabilitating infrastructure, reducing bottlenecks, and piloting sustainable maintenance systems, the program will lower transport costs, improve market access, and support inclusive growth across one of Central Africa's most vital trade routes - directly contributing to the World Bank's goals of ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity.

Phase 1 will direct US$407 million from IBRD and US$18 million from IDA to Cameroon, US$90 million from IDA to the CAR, and US$10 million from the IDA GROW window to CEMAC. Investments will rehabilitate priority road sections to climate-resilient standards, establish axle-load control stations, develop logistics hubs and feeder roads, strengthen value chains, and advance trade facilitation and institutional reforms. Subsequent phases will scale up interventions based on performance and lessons learned.

" The Program is anchored in a broader vision of regional integration within CEMAC, addressing deteriorated infrastructure, high transport costs, road safety, and persistent barriers such as excessive checkpoints and informal payments. Through a phased approach, it combines infrastructure rehabilitation, logistics and policy reforms, and initiatives to unlock economic opportunities and attract private investment," said Cheick Kanté, Division Director, World Bank.

The program is expected to generate about 2,000 to 4,000 direct and indirect job opportunities over the project lifecycle" and routine and periodic maintenance activities could sustain around 150 to 250 jobs per year.