Mid-term assessment reveals mixed progress in Cameroon’s road network

During a public conference held at the Government Action Showcase (SAGO 2026) in Yaoundé, Minister of Public Works Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi presented the mid-term assessment of the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy. The event, attended by media professionals, stakeholders, and visitors, provided a comprehensive overview of achievements, ongoing projects, and persistent challenges in Cameroon’s road infrastructure sector.

The Minister emphasized the critical role of road infrastructure in economic growth and territorial cohesion, aligning it with the President’s commitments under the National Development Strategy. Key achievements highlighted include the paving of 2 442 kilometers of roads and rehabilitation of 833 kilometers of degraded routes since 2020. However, maintenance delays continue to hamper the sector’s performance.

Structural network takes center stage

The structural road network emerged as the primary focus of the Ministry’s interventions. Over the past five years, the total length of paved roads has increased from 8 498 kilometers in 2020 to 10 939 kilometers by the end of 2025—averaging over 488 kilometers of new paved roads annually. This progress demonstrates significant strides toward improving connectivity across the country.

Despite these advancements, several persistent challenges threaten to undermine further development. Key obstacles include:

• Security concerns in certain intervention zones
• Bureaucratic delays in funding mobilization
• Extended timelines for procurement processes
• Financial constraints faced by construction firms
• Limited resources allocated to routine road maintenance

The Minister acknowledged these hurdles but underscored the ongoing efforts to address them. Since the beginning of 2026, initiatives have been geared toward implementing the President’s High Directives, with particular emphasis on:

• Strengthening the structural road network
• Enhancing infrastructure quality standards
• Improving inter-territorial connectivity

These targeted interventions aim to consolidate recent gains while paving the way for sustainable long-term development in Cameroon’s transportation sector.