New industrial zone project: Douala port to pay FCFA 1.2bn for land compensation

The Port Authority of Douala, PAD, has allocated CFA 1.24 billion to compensate over 127 people affected by the construction of a 500-hectare industrial zone located along the banks of the Dibamba river in Missolè I, about 10 kilometers from Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala. 

This compensation follows a decree signed by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute on Monday, March 24, 2025. 

The list of beneficiaries was drawn up following an initial report submitted in September 2024 by a commission tasked with assessing the properties affected by the project. 

A supplementary report, which included claims and supporting documents from the affected individuals, was completed in early March 2025 and submitted to the Prime Minister for approval of an addendum decree to release the compensation. 

Joseph Nguene Nteppe, the PAD’s head of analysis and cooperation, explained that the first round of compensations will be distributed as early as April, allowing work on the 500-hectare industrial zone to begin. 

The project is being led by the Indian firm Arise IIP, in partnership with the Cameroonian government, and has a total investment value of CFA 230 billion. The area will include a 350-hectare industrial and port zone, which will house agro-industrial units, a timber park, and a fishing port. 

A 100-hectare logistics area will be developed near the industrial zone, while a 50-hectare living space will also be created to support the project’s growth. 

According to PAD, the project is expected to generate about 500,000 direct and indirect jobs. 

It will foster the creation of an integrated industrial ecosystem and a multimodal hub, which will be connected to the Port of Douala and the surrounding hinterland via the Dibamba River and a rail link. 

This development aims to ease the economic and logistical challenges currently faced by the Douala port platform.

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The banks of Dibamba river in Missolè I, Douala municipality