Cameroon and Chad have signed a new agreement aimed at improving the flow of goods along the strategic Douala–Kribi to N’Djamena trade corridor, a key supply route for landlocked Chad and one of Central Africa’s most important logistics pathways.
The agreement was concluded on May 14 in N’Djamena and forms part of broader regional efforts to modernise transport and trade infrastructure across the subregion. It was signed during the fifth Chad–Cameroon–Central African Republic tripartite forum, which focused heavily on improving transit efficiency along the trans Cameroon corridor.
Under the deal, both countries committed to a series of reforms designed to reduce delays and improve coordination along the route that connects Cameroon’s major ports in Douala and Kribi to Chad’s capital, N’Djamena.
The memorandum was signed by Auguste Mbappe Penda, head of Cameroon’s National Shippers’ Council, and Hamid Djoumino, director general of Chad’s Shippers’ Council. The agreement reflects growing recognition of the corridor’s importance for regional trade, particularly for Chad, which relies heavily on Cameroonian ports for imports and exports.
Key measures outlined in the agreement include the integration of digital systems between the two countries, the introduction of electronic cargo tracking, simplified customs procedures, and the creation of a shared digital platform to monitor shipments and handle complaints from traders and freight operators.
These reforms are expected to reduce long standing challenges along the corridor, including administrative bottlenecks, repeated inspections, and informal payments that have historically slowed down cargo movement and increased the cost of doing business in the region.
The Douala–Kribi–N’Djamena corridor is a critical artery for Central African trade, handling a significant share of imports for Chad, a country that does not have direct access to the sea. Any improvements to the route are therefore expected to have a direct impact on pricing, delivery times, and overall trade competitiveness.
Authorities in both countries say the agreement is also part of a wider push to make regional trade systems more transparent and efficient, particularly as African countries seek to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area framework, which aims to boost intra African trade.
For logistics companies and freight operators, the reforms could signal a shift toward more predictable transit times and improved coordination between customs agencies. However, implementation will be key, as similar agreements in the past have faced challenges due to infrastructure gaps and administrative inertia.
If effectively enforced, the deal could strengthen economic ties between Cameroon and Chad while positioning the corridor as a more competitive route for regional commerce in Central Africa.
