Cameroon secures CFA174.6 billion for Dibamba bridge
French Development Agency, EIB, and EU provide funding for road and bridge reconstruction.
Cameroon has secured CFA174.6 billion in financing for the reconstruction of the Edéa-Douala road and the construction of a second bridge over the Dibamba River. The funding package was presented to Public Works Minister Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi on November 2, 2026, by a delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Union. This financing covers the road reconstruction, the new bridge, and the rehabilitation of the existing bridge.
The total proposed financing includes €125 million from AFD, €100 million from the EIB, and €39.2 million from the European Union. While the project aims to improve infrastructure, the role of Canadian contractor Magil Construction remains unclear. Magil had signed a contract in December 2019 for a project that included a second bridge, but budget issues later limited financing to road works. Magil submitted a new financing proposal for the bridge in February 2026, but the government has not confirmed if it is still being considered.
The funding package totals €264.2 million, with the remaining amount to be covered. The reconstruction of the Edéa-Douala section of National Highway N3 is a key component of the project. The government has not yet clarified Magil Construction's involvement in the bridge construction despite their previous contract and a recent financing proposal.
Why it mattersCameroonian infrastructure development and the role of international financial institutions are affected.