Cameroon drives CEMAC growth and advances Douala-Bangui corridor financing

Cameroon is driving economic growth within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) despite a significant decline in public investment. According to a Bank of Central African States (BEAC) report, Cameroon contributed 3.8 percentage points to the regional Composite Index of Economic Activity (ICAE) increase of 5.9% in the second quarter of 2026. This growth is largely attributed to a strong private sector and commodity contributions, which have offset a slowdown in the public sector caused by fiscal consolidation and low execution of public investment.

In a separate development regarding regional infrastructure, President Paul Biya has authorized a €347.5 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to support the Douala-Bangui corridor. This route is vital for the landlocked Central African Republic, facilitating over 80% of its foreign trade. The financing is part of a larger $1.12 billion World Bank program aimed at upgrading roads and logistics facilities to reduce transport costs and improve the reliability of food and fuel supplies to inland capitals.