Cameroon Plans End-February 2027 Completion of CFAF71.9bn Water Project

Cameroon plans to complete the second phase of its Nine-City Drinking Water Supply Project by the end of February 2027, with works across five cities now 84.25% complete, according to the Cameroon Water Utilities Corporation, CAMWATER.

The CFAF71.86 billion program covers Maroua, Garoua, Garoua-Boulaï, Yabassi and Dschang. It is expected to add 42,700 cubic meters to daily drinking water production capacity, 10,100 cubic meters of storage and more than 250 kilometers of distribution networks.

The figures were presented at the project steering committee’s third session in Yaoundé on September 10, 2026, chaired by CAMWATER General Manager Blaise Moussa. The works are jointly financed by the Export-Import Bank of China and the Cameroonian government and are being carried out by China Geo-Engineering Corporation Group, CGCOC, under CAMWATER’s supervision.

CAMWATER said 83.46% of the scheduled execution period had elapsed, putting physical implementation slightly ahead of schedule. Maroua is the most advanced site at 91%, followed by Garoua at 90% and Garoua-Boulaï at 80%. Yabassi stands at 71% and Dschang at 70%.

In Maroua, works include seven new boreholes, a 5,000-cubic-meter elevated reservoir and 78.6 kilometers of distribution networks. Garoua is receiving eight new boreholes, four rehabilitated boreholes, two water towers and 99.1 kilometers of networks. Garoua-Boulaï’s component includes a treatment plant, a 1,000-cubic-meter water tower and 28.8 kilometers of pipelines.

In Dschang, a treatment plant with a daily capacity of 7,000 cubic meters is being built alongside a 1,500-cubic-meter water tower and 24.65 kilometers of networks. Electrical connection works across the program, including transformers, cabin substations and medium- and low-voltage lines, are 67% complete.

Financing and operational issues remain before completion. The steering committee called for faster payment of certified invoices and state contributions to keep construction on schedule.

Additional financing is also being sought in Garoua-Boulaï to extend the distribution network and use the full 1,800 cubic meters of water expected to be produced there each day. Water abstraction issues involving China EximBank and neighboring communities also remain unresolved.

The committee asked the contractor, control mission and project teams to complete pressure and watertightness tests, finish outstanding works and begin the gradual commissioning of facilities in each city.

Mercy Fosoh