Indonesia Pitches Rail, Maritime and Electric Vehicle Expertise to Cameroon

Indonesia and Cameroon have identified potential cooperation in rail transport, maritime services and electric mobility, with Indonesian companies being considered as possible partners for several transport projects. The discussions took place during a September 4 meeting in Yaoundé between Cameroon’s Transport Minister Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallè Bibhèhè and Indonesia’s Ambassador to Cameroon, Agung Cahaya Sumirat, according to Cameroon’s Ministry of Transport.

The two sides discussed possible partnerships in the railway, maritime and public transport sectors, including the supply of rolling stock, railway rehabilitation, shipyard modernization and electric vehicles.

In the railway sector, Indonesian rolling-stock manufacturer INKA could be approached to support Cameroon’s plans to acquire passenger coaches and locomotives. The discussions also covered the rehabilitation of the country’s existing meter-gauge railway lines and the construction of new routes built to current standards.

Maritime cooperation was another focus. Ngallè Bibhèhè outlined the complementary roles of the ports of Douala and Kribi, as well as the Limbe port project. The facilities could support direct or indirect maritime links with Indonesia while strengthening Cameroon’s role as a logistics corridor for landlocked Central African countries.

The two sides also discussed exchanging technical expertise in port management. Sumirat offered to facilitate business-to-business meetings between Indonesian and Cameroonian experts during Trade Expo Indonesia, scheduled for October 14-18, 2026.

Cameroon’s shipbuilding and repair industry was also discussed. Indonesian shipbuilder PAL Indonesia could provide technical expertise, and potentially financial support, for the modernization of Cameroon Shipyard and Industrial Engineering Ltd.

In public transport, the Indonesian side raised the possibility of connecting Cameroon with a company specializing in the construction and maintenance of electric vehicles. No company was identified at this stage.

Indonesia also sought Cameroon’s support for its bid for a seat on the International Civil Aviation Organization Council. The election is due to take place during an extraordinary ICAO Assembly scheduled for November 19-20, 2026, in Montreal.

Mercy Fosoh