Cameroon has secured a US$75 million (CFA42 billion) loan from the Saudi Fund for Development to finance the rehabilitation of the Sorawel–Dourbey road in the country’s northern region, officials said.
The agreement was signed on March 23 in Yaoundé by Economy Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey and SFD Chief Executive Sultan Al-Marshad. The financing comes on concessional terms, including low interest rates and extended repayment periods, making it one of the key infrastructure investments aimed at enhancing regional connectivity.
The Sorawel–Dourbey corridor is strategically important, linking Cameroon with Nigeria and Chad. The upgrade is expected to improve the movement of goods and people across borders, addressing longstanding infrastructure gaps that have constrained trade in northern Cameroon.
According to the Saudi Fund for Development, the project aims to reduce isolation in remote areas, modernize the road network, and facilitate smoother cross-border commerce. The plan includes rebuilding a 77-kilometre stretch into a dual-lane highway, with enhanced safety features and transport efficiency.
Authorities emphasised that the road will not only improve domestic connectivity but also support regional integration by easing logistical constraints between Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad. The corridor is expected to foster trade, stimulate local economic activity and improve access to markets for farmers and businesses in the northern region.
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The investment reflects a broader push by the Cameroonian government to develop infrastructure in landlocked and under-served areas, where road quality has historically limited mobility and trade.
“This project is vital for connecting communities, reducing travel time and supporting trade flows across borders,” the Saudi Fund said in a statement. “Upgrading the Sorawel–Dourbey road will create opportunities for economic development and integration in the region.”
With infrastructure financing needs remaining high, Cameroon has increasingly turned to concessional funding and development partners to expand its transport network. The Sorawel–Dourbey project is part of a larger national strategy to modernize transport corridors and strengthen the country’s role in regional trade.
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Once completed, the road is expected to provide safer and more reliable transport for passengers, goods, and commercial vehicles, while stimulating local investment and encouraging private sector participation along the corridor.
Officials said construction will prioritize quality, durability and sustainability to ensure long-term benefits for trade and regional development.
