An important milestone is set to be reached in Cameroon’s infrastructural development this week as stakeholders gather in Yaoundé to advance the Edéa–Kribi–Lolabé–Campo railway corridor project. On June 4, representatives from Cameroon’s government, Africa Global Logistics (AGL), and Camalco—a subsidiary of Australian firm Canyon Resources—will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalize discussions on this critical infrastructure. The signing ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Starland Hotel, will be presided over by the Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Massena Ngallè Bibehe. The primary goal? To seamlessly integrate the national rail network with the deep-water port of Kribi and, eventually, facilitate the export of mining resources.
Railway corridor central to Cameroon’s logistics strategy
The significance of this MoU extends far beyond a symbolic gesture. It represents a strategic overhaul of Cameroon’s logistics framework, centered on three pillars: rail, ports, and mining. The Edéa–Kribi–Campo corridor has been a cornerstone of the country’s railway planning for years. As early as 2021, authorities were laying the groundwork for a donor roundtable targeting two key sections totaling 291.5 kilometers: the 184.5 km Edéa–Kribi–Campo stretch and the 107 km Douala–Limbé–Idénau route. The updated proposal now includes an additional connection to Lolabé, adjacent to the deep-water port, reinforcing the southern region’s logistical connectivity.
The upcoming public-private partnership is designed to encompass the entire lifecycle of the project—from preliminary studies and financing to construction, operation, and maintenance. However, no final investment decision is expected at this stage. Critical details remain unresolved, including the exact route length, phased construction timeline, total budget, concession duration, and service launch schedule. For Cameroon, the project aligns with a broader strategy to reduce regional isolation and enhance the competitiveness of export corridors. For AGL, already a major player in Central African logistics and rail freight, the initiative offers an opportunity to solidify its dominance in cargo transportation.
Kribi port: the linchpin of mineral export logistics
The economic viability of the railway corridor hinges on the growing importance of Kribi’s deep-water port, Cameroon’s sole infrastructure of its kind. Despite its potential, the port’s efficiency is currently constrained by inadequate overland connections—a gap the new railway aims to fill. A direct rail link would bridge the gap between the port, nearby industrial zones, and international trade routes. This would enable Kribi to handle cargo volumes that Douala’s port struggles with due to navigational challenges posed by the Wouri estuary.
The involvement of Camalco injects a clear mining dimension into the MoU. The company is spearheading the Minim Martap bauxite project in the Adamawa region, widely regarded as one of the world’s most significant deposits. Canyon Resources estimates proven reserves at 144 million tons, with an average alumina content of 51.2% and silica content of 1.7%. Total resource estimates soar to 1.102 billion tons. Such vast quantities demand a robust evacuation chain, integrating mines, rail transport, storage terminals, and mineral cargo vessels.
Camalco secures mine-to-port supply chain
In the short term, Canyon Resources’ evacuation strategy continues to rely on Douala. To secure this link, Camalco has invested 9.852 billion FCFA to increase its stake in Camrail—the national rail concessionaire—from 9.1% to 26.9%. Additionally, the subsidiary has allocated 347.447 million FCFA to Terminal Bois du Port de Douala S.A. Preparations are also underway for the Inland Rail Facility and port installations. The first locomotives are slated for delivery by the end of Q2 2026, followed by wagons in July. The maiden voyage of bauxite exports is planned for Q3 2026.
However, Douala’s navigational constraints inherently drive up unit costs for large-scale mineral shipments. The Edéa–Kribi–Lolabé–Campo corridor presents a long-term solution by offering a direct route to a deep-water port, reducing reliance on the current system. For Cameroon, the project presents a multifaceted opportunity: regional connectivity, natural resource valorization, and positioning Kribi as a key export hub.
Several structural uncertainties remain unresolved. The MoU does not address the total investment cost, risk-sharing mechanisms among partners, or the environmental and land-use impacts of the proposed route. These factors will determine the project’s appeal to international lenders and the robustness of its economic model. Nonetheless, the signing in Yaoundé signals the corridor’s re-entry into the national agenda as a major infrastructure priority. It sets the stage for a future logistics architecture where rail, ports, and mining converge into a cohesive, high-capacity network.