Cameroon
2.3 Cameroon Road Network
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Overview

According to official statistics, there are about 50,000 km of roads in Cameroon, of which 5,000 km are paved. The road network, both paved and unpaved, is poorly maintained. 


Road

Distance (km)


Cameroon Road Network

Paved

5,133

Unpaved

12,799

Tracks

59,657

Total

77,589

Classification

Administering Agency

Network Length

National Roads

Road Fund Cameroon

7041 km

Provincial Roads

Road Fund Cameroon

5616 km

Departmental Roads

Road Fund Cameroon

8075 km

Rural Roads (classified)

Road Fund Cameroon

12843 km

Rural Roads (non-classified)

Road Fund Cameroon

16100 km

The country’s road density is estimated at 7 km for each 1,000 km2. During the wet season, only paved roads remain passable. Traffic on unpaved roads may be restricted by rain barriers. Trucks can therefore be stopped for many hours. On many bridges the traffic of trucks is not allowed. Trucks must use deviations through rivers, but during the rainy season when the waters are high, passing through rivers bank may be impossible.

The Road Fund of Cameroon was created in 1996 in order to implement the government policy on the road sector. Government efforts to improve the state/condition of Cameroonian roads are focused on a network of 27,000 km and the process is being undertaken.

At N’Gaoundere, on the N1 to Garoua, the tarring process is ongoing. On the same road but from Maroua to Kousseri, repairs started in March 2018 are ongoing.

Further road works on the new highway from Kribi to Yaoundé and from Yaoundé airport to the capital were planned but are currently stopped. 

The Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD) has provided a loan of 18 million euro in November 2018 for the rehabilitation of a portion of 365 km in North-West, covering five of the seven districts. This portion is part of a 255 million euro project designated to redo the Yaounde-Bafoussam-Bamenda axis. The project is scheduled to run until 2024.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Cameroon Government Contact List

Cameroon Roads

Road Security

Cases of carjacking and highway banditry are reportedly frequent, especially on the unpaved road stretches. Military escorts may be required on secondary roads in the northern part of the country. 

Axle Load Limits

Vehicles’ payload in Cameroon must not exceed:

  • Axle load limits:
    • Simple axle : 13 mt
    • Double axle : 21 mt
    • Triple axle : 27 mt
  • Maximum Authorized Load (PTAC): 28 mt maximum axle load authorized.
  • Size: width 2.5 m / height 4 m

With the introduction of authorized load legislation and weigh bridges, the maximum tonnage a truck can load is limited to 28 mt. The weight limitation has had an impact on the availability of trucks. 

Axle load limits

CAMEROON

Transit CAR

Transit CHAD

Truck with 2 axles

21MT

21MT

21MT

Truck with 3 axles

27MT

27MT

27MT

Bridges

On the paved roads, all bridges are built in concrete material. However, traffic on some of these bridges could be restricted for heavy trucks, especially when there is a risk of collapse.

On unpaved roads, there are some wooden bridges, especially on the ‘West’ road from Douala to Ngaoundéré via Bafoussam. It is advisable to know the state of these bridges before sending trucks from Douala to Ngaoundéré using the ‘West’ road.

Road Class and Surface Conditions

Classification

Road Description

Class: National Roads

Link the national capital Yaoundé to all 10 provincial capitals. It links also Cameroon to neighbouring countries.

Class: Provincial Roads

Link, inside the provinces, all division/departmental capitals to the provincial capital.

Class: Departmental Roads

Link, inside the division/department, all sub-divisions to the departmental capital.

Class: Rural Roads (classified)

Link main agricultural production areas to main markets in the concerned regions.

Class: Rural Roads (non-classified)

Managed by development companies or decentralized local collectivises.

Provinces

Superficie
Km'

population

Routes
bitunies

Routes en
terre
classies
prioritaires

Routes en
terre non
prioritaires

Routes
rurales
prioritaires

Routes
rurales non
prioritaires

Total
routes

Adamaoua

64 000

700 000

441

1350

651

605

1208

4255

Centre

69 000

2 400 000

921

1555

1532

3725

3303

11036

Est

110 000

750 000

346

1590

1455

868

715

4974

Extreme- Nord

34 000

2 650 000

589

1011

1088

1195

1501

5384

Nord

66 000

1 200 000

645

1044

1084

867

1147

4787

Littoral

20 000

2 150 000

478

773

302

708

718

2979

Nord-
Quest

16 000

1 800 000

205

841

67

1231

2160

4504

Sud-Ouest

25 000

1 200 000

260

942

173

740

876

2991

Ouest

13 000

1 950 000

459

983

355

1473

1121

4391

Sud

47 000

520 000

574

1512

735

698

982

4501

TOTAL

466 000

15 292 000

4918

11601

7442

12110

13731

49802

Distance Matrix

The distance matrix for the Cameroon Road Network can be found here: Annex 8 - Travel Distances Matrix (English)

Attachment - Travel Distances from Major Towns to Neighbouring Countries

Attachment - National Roads

Attachment - Provincial Roads

Source: Catalogue Road 2011 published by the Centre de Traitement de l’Information Numérique

Transport corridors

The Douala corridor, used by WFP, other UN agencies and most NGOs, provides the main route for aid commodities ex-Cameroon to CAR and Chad.

CAR

According to the conventions between Cameroon and CAR of December 22nd 1999, legal roads to/from CAR are:

In Cameroon

Roads:

  • Douala – Yaoundé – Naga/Eboko – Bertoua – Garoua Boulai
  • Douala – Yaoundé – Abong/Mbang – Bertoua – Batouri Kentzou
  • Douala – Yaoundé – Bertoua – Batouri Yakadouma Ngoka Border

Combined roads (rail – road):

  • Douala – Belabo – Bertoua – Garoua Boulai
  • Douala – Belabo – Bertoua – Batouri – Kentzou
  • Douala – Nagoundere – Meiganga – Garoua Boulai

In CAR

Roads:

  • Bangui – Bouar – Baboua – Beloko
  • Bangui – Camot – Berberati – Gamboula
  • Bangui – Bossangoa – Pende – N’Dim – Bouar – Beloko
  • Nola – Tomori Border

Corridor Douala - CAR

- Check-Point 1 in Yassa (Douala exit)
- Check-Point 2 in Bertoua
- Check-Point 3 Border office in Garoua Boulai at the border (PK0) with CAR (Beloko Road (PK2) Bouar-Bangui).
- Check-Point 3’ Border office in Bombé (5km of the border (PK0) with CAR (Gamboula Road (PK30 –Berberati-Bangui).

Chad

According to the conventions between Cameroon and Chad of April 13th, 1999, legal roads to/from Chad are:

In Cameroon

Roads:

  • Douala – Yaoundé – Nanga-Eboko – Bertoua – Garoua-Boulai - Meiganga – Ngaoundere – Garoua – Maroua – Kousseri – Border
  • Douala – Yaoundé – Abong/Mbang – Bertoua – Garoua-Boulai – Ngaoundere – Garoua – Figuil – Border
  • Douala – Yaoundé – Abong/Mbang – Bertoua – Garoua-Boulai – Ngaoundere – Touboro
  • Douala – Yaoundé – Abong/Mbang – Bertoua – Garoua-Boulai – Ngaoundal – Border

Combined roads (rail-road):

  • Douala – Ngaoundere (rail)
  • Ngaoundere – Garoua – Figuil – Border
  • Ngaoundere – Garoua – Maroua – Kousseri – Border
  • Ngaoundere – Touboro – Border
  • Douala – Ngaoundere (rail)
  • Ngaoundal – Meiganga – Border

In Chad

Roads:

  • Ngueli – Ndjamena
  • Lere – Moundou – Sarh
  • Larmanaye – Moundou – Sarh
  • Gadjibian – Doba – Moundou

Corridor Ngaoundéré - Chad

- Check-Point 1 in Dang (Ngaoundere exit)
- Check-Point 2 inKollé (Figuil north)
- Check-Point 2’ Border office in Delelé (border with Chad)
- Check-Point 3 Border Office in Kousseri (border with Chad and Ndjamena).


Please see the annexes page at the following link for further information about the overland transport corridors, including information on weight bridges and checkpoints (annex 9) and information on penalties for infractions of timelines and rules for transit cargo (annex 10): 5 Cameroon Annexes

Road from Douala to Ngaoundéré

Ngaoundéré is the final station of the main railways line from Douala Port. Presently, there are two main road corridors from Douala to Ngaoundéré:

  1. The main road via Garoua-Boulaï at the border with CAR, which is the legal/customs road.
  2. The road via Bafoussam, also called the ‘west’ road, which should not be used for goods in transit to neighbouring countries, unless prior authorization is obtained from customs.

1) The road from Douala Port to Ngaoundéré via Garoua-Boulaï

Location Details

Origin

Destination

Town or city (closest)

Douala 

 Ngaoundéré

Total Route (distance in km)

1,114

Road characteristics (over full distance)

 

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total route time 4x4 (Days)

 2

2

2

2

2

2

3

3

3

2

2

2

Passable by

(over full distance)

Car

Yes 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

4X4

Yes 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Truck (rigid)

Yes 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Trailer

Yes 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Total route time for truck and trailers (Days)

3

3

3

3

3

4

5

5

5

3

3

3

Note: It should be mentioned that the road is passable at all seasons, although some stretches may be extremely difficult for trucks, especially during the wet season from June to September.

Stretch 1: From Douala Port to ­­Yaoundé

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

 0

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

 267

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

 3

Town or city (closest)

 Douala

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Asphalt

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

The road from Douala Port to Yaoundé is the busiest highway in Cameroon, with many trucks, especially timber trucks.

The road is narrow and accidents are frequent. 

The entrance of Douala and Yaoundé is often congested.

Stretch 2: From Yaoundé to ­­Ayos

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

 267

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

 407

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

 1.5

Town or city (closest)

 Yaoundé

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Asphalt

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Stretch 3: From Ayos to Bertoua

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

 407

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

 597

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

3.5

Town or city (closest)

 Ayos

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Dirt

Possible weather conditions Mud

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Nature of change to next stretch Improving - newly built road

Stretch 4: From Bertoua to ­­Garoua-Boulaï

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

597

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

843

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

2.5

Town or city (closest)

Bertoua

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Asphalt

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Nature of change to next stretch

Getting worse

Note: Garoua-Boulaï is the border town with the Central African Republic.

Stretch 5: From Garoua-Boulaï to Ngaoundéré

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

 843

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

 1,114

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

5

Town or city (closest)

Garoua-Boulaï

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Dirt  

Possible weather conditions

Mud

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Note: This stretch of the road was paved recently. It is now good in all seasons.


2) The road from Douala Port to Ngaoundéré via Bafoussam (the ‘West’ road)

Organizations sometimes request the authorization of the Customs to use the ‘West’ road up from Douala port to Ngaoundéré. This normally happens during the months of February to May, in view of the upcoming wet season when many roads are closed in that country.

It should be mentioned that Chad-bound cargo from Douala Port should normally be loaded on wagons unless previous authorization.

Stretch 1: From Douala Port to ­­Bafoussam

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

 0

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

 238

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

 3

Town or city (closest)

 Douala

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Asphalt

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Nature of change to next stretch

Getting Worse

Stretch 2: From Bafoussam to ­­Tibati

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

238

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

636

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

10

Town or city (closest)

Bafoussam

Class of road

Secondary

Surface

Dirt

Possible weather conditions

Mud, Flooding

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Nature of change to next stretch

Getting Worse

Note: During the wet season, some parts of this road may be very difficult and even impassable for trucks. There are many rain barriers.

Stretch 3: From Tibati to Ngaoundéré

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

636

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

917

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

7

Town or city (closest)

Tibati

Class of road


Surface

Dirt

Possible weather conditions

Mud, Flooding

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Nature of change to next stretch

Restriction - many rain barriers during the rainy season. Heavy trucks should therefore wait until the road becomes sufficiently dried.

Road Security

Security

Rated as Good

It should be mentioned that cases of carjacking and highway banditry are frequent in Cameroon, especially on the unpaved road stretches.

Road from Ngaoundéré to Kousseri

Ngaoundéré is the end station of the railroad from Douala Port. The government has established a dry port in this town, as cargo loaded on wagons is transhipped there onto trucks directly to final destinations in northern Cameroon and Chad.

Due to security constraints in the region, the Touboro crossing point is now regularly used instead of Kousseri. Nevertheless this corridor is still active when it comes to carrying local bought products into Chad.

Logistical infrastructures in Ngaoundéré include many warehouses and a container terminal managed by Bollore. More details can be found in page 2.4 Cameroon Railway Assessment.

Location Details

 

Origin

Destination

Town or city (closest)

Ngaoundéré 

Kousseri

Total Route (distance in km)

750

Road characteristics (over full distance)

 

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total route time 4x4 (Days)

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Passable by 

(over full distance)

Car

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

4X4

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Truck (rigid)

Yes 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Trailer

 Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Total route time for truck and trailers (Days)

 1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

1.5

Stretch 1: From Ngaoundéré to Garoua

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

 0

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

 275

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

 3.5

Town or city (closest)

 Ngaoundéré

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Asphalt

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Nature of change to next stretch

Getting Worse. The road is deteriorating. Rehabilitation works are planned by the government.

Stretch 2: From Garoua to Maroua

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

 275

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

 484

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

 3

Town or city (closest)

 Garoua

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Asphalt

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Nature of change to next stretch

Improving

The road is newly rehabilitated from the beginning to the end. All bridges are concrete

Stretch 3: From Maroua to Kousseri

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

484

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

750

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

 3

Town or city (closest)

 Maroua

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Asphalt

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Nature of change to next stretch

Getting Worse

Note: Maintenance work are under process on road N1 from Maroua to Kousseri. If the portion Maroua-Mora should be completed within the next few weeks, the remaining part between Mora and Kousseri seems in stand-by. It currently affect time travel to N’Djamena.

Road from Ngaoundéré to Touboro

As noted above this route is now used partially instead of the Kousseri border route. 

Location Details

 

Origin

Destination

Town or city (closest)

Ngaoundéré 

Touboro / Bogdibo

Total Route (distance in km)

280

Road characteristics (over full distance)

 

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total route time 4x4 (Days)

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Passable by

(over full distance)

Car

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

4X4

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Truck (rigid)

Yes 

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Trailer

 Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Total route time for truck and trailers (Days)

 1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Stretch 1: From Ngaoundéré to Garoua

Distance from origin at start of stretch - km

 0

Distance from origin at end of stretch - km

 280

Route time on this stretch (4X4) – Hours

 4

Town or city (closest)

 Ngaoundéré

Class of road

Highway

Surface

Asphalt

Passable by

Car, 4X4, Truck and Trailer

Nature of change to next stretch

Getting Worse. The road is deteriorating. Rehabilitation works are planned by the government.

Road Security

Security

The security level in this stretch is 2.

Traffic of trucks is high on this road. 



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