Yaoundé bypass roads (VCY): 229 billion CFA francs to be raised to begin the first phase, covering 22.8 km
The VCY construction project includes the construction of a 90.54 km road (two lanes in each direction) to redirect transit traffic and provide infrastructure for four urban development hubs.
- It is of paramount importance for the capital of Cameroon, which is plagued by urban congestion, particularly in the city center (traffic jams, pollution, etc.). Furthermore, the city of Yaoundé is at the crossroads of several transport routes in the sub-region, the most important of which connects the autonomous ports of Douala and Kribi on the one hand, and the Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic on the other. As a result, it experiences considerable heavy goods vehicle traffic passing through it.
- However, the start of this development remains dependent on the mobilization of funding. Currently, 146 billion CFA francs are available, far short of the 229 billion CFA francs needed for the first phase of the project. This is the contribution of two financial partners, the European Union (26 billion CFA francs) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) (120 billion CFA francs).
- However, the project is raising concerns about expropriations and the mobilization of the funds needed to finance it.
Key figures
- The project was announced in 2018. The 2026-2028 economic and budgetary planning document envisaged the start of work on the first phase in 2026 and completion in 2030.
- Road infrastructure: a 90.54 km dual carriageway crossing the departments of Mfoundi, Lekié, Mefou-et-Afamba, and Mefou-et-Akono.
- The first phase involves the construction of 22.8 km of road. This section, known as T3, will link Nkozoa north of Yaoundé (National Road No. 1) to the Yaoundé-Douala motorway at Minkoameyos.
- An EIB mission visited Cameroon from August 25 to 29, 2025, to conduct a final technical, environmental, social, and climate assessment of the project, with a view to finalizing the financing to be submitted to the Board of Directors in November 2025.
- The four (04) development hubs will cover an area of 1,200 hectares and are spread across the municipalities of Mbankomo, Mfou, Soa, and Okola.
- Potential financial partners have come forward, including the European Union, the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC), the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the French Development Agency (AFD), and commercial banks such as UBA and Banque Atlantique.
