Cameroon Risks Missing More Than Half of Its 2026 Road Project Targets

Cameroon risks completing fewer than half of the road projects scheduled for delivery in 2026, as contractor underperformance, slow procurement, insecurity and weak financial execution weigh on the government’s annual infrastructure program.

Of the 155 projects due for completion this year, only 30 had been finished as of July 28. The Ministry of Public Works (Mintp) estimated that another 40 could be delivered by the end of December if the current pace continues. That would bring the total to 70 projects, or just 45.2% of the annual target.

The ministry’s midyear assessment classifies 57 projects as facing a “high risk” of missing their targets, compared with 29 considered at low risk.

An internal review seen by Business in Cameroon shows that the 57 high-risk projects cover 205 km of roads under construction, 154 km under rehabilitation, 66 km undergoing major maintenance and 1,004 linear meters of engineering structures. They also include 1,411 km of roads to be maintained with forestry and development companies, as well as studies covering 1,029 km of roads and 70 linear meters of structures.

The constraints range from payment delays and weak contractor mobilization to incomplete procurement procedures, heavy rainfall and insecurity. Financial execution was also low at the end of June. Mintp reported CFA26.01 billion committed, processed and authorized for payment out of CFA251.04 billion in centrally managed domestic resources, equivalent to 10.36%.

The ministry attributed the weak performance in part to difficulties operating the ProBMIS AI budget management system, according to its first-half assessment.

Yaoundé Alternative Roads Reach Just 17%

In Yaoundé, the review highlights alternative routes to the city’s northern access road, which are separate from the main road project. The 17-km project, valued at CFA1.23 billion in the document, was 17% complete in July, up from 5% at the end of December 2025.

To meet its unchanged target of 100% completion by year-end, the project would have to advance another 83 percentage points in five months. Yet the supervision contract had still not been awarded. Mintp recommends accelerating the recruitment of the National Civil Engineering Laboratory (Labogénie).

Lékié Road Project Advances Just Two Percentage Points

The rehabilitation of the roughly 81-km Lékié loop covers the Nkolbisson-Zamengoué-Ekékam-Evodoula-Monatélé corridor. Valued at CFA31.1 billion, the project was 57% complete in July, compared with 55% at the end of December 2025. It would therefore need to complete about 43% of the work within five months to meet the annual target.

Payment no longer appears to be the main obstacle. Between January 30 and April 24, Arab Contractors received CFA4.20 billion including taxes, reducing outstanding invoices to CFA519.45 million. The payments represented about 89% of the invoices identified, rather than 97%.

Mintp now attributes the delay to poor organization by the contractor, insufficient staffing and weak equipment mobilization. As of July, only 30.72 km of surface course had been completed, while construction of the bridge over the Ngobo River had yet to begin, according to the ministry.

Mixed Progress on the Ring Road

In the Northwest region, the 39-km Kumbo-Ndu section was 58.98% complete in July, up from 48% at the end of 2025. The contractor has been granted an extension through December 25 but continues to face insecurity and insufficient equipment. As of July 13, only 1.18 km of surface course had been laid.

Progress is much stronger on the 31-km Ndu-Nkambe section, which was approaching 97% completion, with preparations underway for provisional acceptance.

By contrast, the Nkambe-Misaje section, including the Nkambe bypass, remained at around 36%, held back by insecurity and contractor underperformance.

Yabassi-Bafang Studies Remain Stuck at 60%

The 148-km Yabassi-Nkondjock-Bafang road has not yet reached the construction stage. Studies for the project remained at 60% in July, unchanged from December 2025.

According to the internal review, the consulting firm had still not submitted an improved version of the detailed design report despite an initial formal reminder on April 26. Mintp plans to issue another notice demanding the document.

The projects show that the risks to Cameroon’s 2026 road program extend beyond funding constraints. Contractor capacity, slow procedures and contract oversight are also holding back delivery. The ministry is considering terminating some contracts where contractor failure has been established and prioritizing payments for projects that have passed 30% completion.

Ludovic Amara