The European Union and the United Kingdom Reaffirm their Commitment to Supporting Cameroon and CAMRAIL in Modernising the Cameroonian Railway Network
As part of the follow-up to the Bélabo–Ngaoundéré railway track renewal project, CAMRAIL hosted a working visit from His Excellency Mr. Jean Marc Châtaigner, Ambassador of the European Union to Cameroon, on Wednesday, 6 August 2025. He was accompanied by His Excellency Mr. Matt Woods, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Cameroon, and Ms. Arielle Nkodo, Forests and Sustainable Development Adviser to the British High Commission.
The CAMRAIL delegation was led by Mr. Hamadou Bakary, Deputy Managing Director for Operations, joined by several technical managers, including Mr. Jacques Fansi, Project Director PQ2, and Mr. Elie-Bersot Evina, Director of Fixed Installations.
The main objective of the visit was to assess the progress of the Bélabo–Ngaoundéré railway renewal project, financed by the European Union through the European Investment Bank (EIB). “The tender documents are currently being prepared in accordance with the procurement plan validated by the EIB and the French Development Agency. The calls for tenders will be launched between the second half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, beginning with the supply of materials (rails, sleepers, ballast, etc.). Work is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027,” explained Mr. Jacques Fansi, PQ2 Project Director.
The Bélabo–Ngaoundéré railway renewal project represents a major lever for regional economic development. By improving rail transport fluidity, it will facilitate the movement of goods, reduce both logistical costs and carbon emissions (railway transport emits 30–40% less CO₂ than road transport), and strengthen the competitiveness of local businesses. Moreover, the works will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, notably in construction, material supply, and related services. The project will also stimulate trade between the northern and southern regions of the country while fostering sub-regional integration.
“My presence here demonstrates the European Union’s commitment alongside CAMRAIL. We made a point of travelling by train from Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré to gain a concrete understanding of the project’s challenges. Rail is a strategic vector for opening up access, and we have mobilised significant financing through the EIB to support this initiative,” emphasised His Excellency Mr. Jean Marc Châtaigner, EU Ambassador to Cameroon.
“We remain constantly attentive to investment opportunities. In this respect, I have taken due note of the expressed need for financing the acquisition of passenger coaches. The constructive dialogue we have now established provides a solid basis for considering this support. As High Commissioner, it is my duty to convey these needs to the relevant British authorities,” stated His Excellency Mr. Matt Woods, UK High Commissioner to Cameroon.
