Douala–Kribi–N'Djamena corridor: less paperwork, more trucks?
For landlocked Chad, the corridor linking it to Cameroon's ports is a vital artery. Several decisions taken in 2026 aim to cut transit times and costs. A first assessment.
Translated from French. Lire en français
A strategic route
Almost all of Chad's imports and exports pass through the ports of Douala and Kribi in Cameroon. The corridor linking these ports to N'Djamena, which also serves Bangui, is one of the few fully operational intermodal corridors in Central Africa, combining road and rail. Its performance shapes the price of many goods in Chadian markets.
The N'Djamena forum
From 11 to 13 May 2026, N'Djamena hosted the 5th tripartite Chad–Cameroon–Central African Republic forum on the transit of goods through Cameroonian ports. Port authorities, customs, transporters, freight forwarders and exporters looked for solutions to delays and extra costs.
On 14 May, Cameroon's National Shippers' Council and the Chadian Shippers' Council signed a memorandum of understanding to modernise the corridor and strengthen coordination between shippers, ports and customs.
One formality less
As a direct result of the forum's recommendations, Cameroon suspended the requirement for the electronic cargo tracking note (BESC) for goods in transit to N'Djamena and Bangui. Operators welcomed the move, though they believe further reforms are still needed, particularly on road checkpoints.
Work under way
On the infrastructure side, the regional project to improve the performance of the Douala–N'Djamena corridor, backed by the World Bank, is funding the rehabilitation of rail and road. Cameroon has been authorised to borrow 181 billion FCFA for the project. On the Chadian side, rehabilitation of the N'Djamena–Moundou–Cameroon border route is also planned.
What operators expect
Transporters are calling for fewer checkpoints, faster customs procedures and better roads. Success will be measured simply: the time and cost needed to bring a container from Douala to N'Djamena.
Key dates
- 11–13 May 2026: 5th tripartite forum in N'Djamena
- 14 May 2026: agreement between the Cameroonian and Chadian shippers' councils
- Cameroonian loan authorised for the corridor: 181 billion FCFA
- Published on:
- Wednesday, 28 October 2026
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