Cameroon Mobilizes Nearly CFAF800bn for Far North Reconstruction Program

Cameroon has mobilized nearly CFAF800 billion for the Special Reconstruction and Development Programme for the Far North Region (PSRDREN), up from CFAF600 billion announced in 2025, as work accelerates on major roads and urban infrastructure. The updated financing figure was disclosed in Yaounde on August 31, during the second session of the program’s steering committee, chaired by Economy, Planning and Regional Development Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey.

The meeting assessed progress made in 2025, including the execution of major infrastructure projects. The program, created in 2022, has an estimated investment requirement of CFAF1.822 trillion. The nearly CFAF800 billion mobilized represents about 44% of the program’s projected financing needs. Funding has been mobilized from the state and development partners, including the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), European Union and Islamic Development Bank.

It emerged from the meeting that road infrastructure accounts for a major share of the projects under implementation. Reconstruction work has intensified on the Mora-Waza-Dabanga-Kousseri section of National Road No. 1, a strategic corridor linking Cameroon to Chad.

The Yagoua-Bongor bridge across the Logone River, inaugurated in April 2025, provides a safer connection between Yagoua in Cameroon and Bongor in Chad. Other roads receiving financing include the Maroua-Moutourwa, Magada-Guidiguis and Guidiguis-Yagoua sections. The Maroua-Bogo-Guirvidig-Pouss road is also being upgraded with support from the AfDB.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Ousmane Mey said urban roads in Maroua had been transformed, while reconstruction was intensifying on National Road No. 1 and other corridors with financing from international partners. He added that the infrastructure projects were being combined with support for farmers’ associations, cooperatives and Common Initiative Groups.

“Strong measures have been taken to strengthen their productive capacity, with the ambition of creating jobs, generating wealth and reinforcing socio-economic cohesion. I must also acknowledge the valuable role of the Defence and Security Forces in implementing the instructions of the President of the Republic under the Special Reconstruction and Development Programme for the Far North Region. Without peace, security and stability, it is difficult to speak of development,” Ousmane Mey said.

Beyond transport, the CFAF236 billion PACRI-MDK project, jointly financed by the World Bank and the Cameroonian government, includes community infrastructure targeting communities affected by insecurity, particularly internally displaced persons and host communities. Another CFAF157 billion project includes road works intended to improve mobility, make local areas more accessible and support private-sector activity. The AfDB-backed CAP2E program has CFAF89.2 billion in financing for skills development, employment and entrepreneurship.

The program also covers irrigation, agricultural value chains, water management and food security. The Islamic Development Bank has provided CFAF26.61 billion for an agricultural project, while support for farmers’ groups is intended to increase local production, employment and household incomes.

Mercy Fosoh