Douala is planning a public-private partnership worth about $100 million to procure and operate the bus fleet for its future Bus Rapid Transit network. The investment, estimated at around CFA57.7 billion, will involve private operators responsible for acquiring and running the buses that will serve the new urban transit system.
The plan was presented during consultations with communities affected by the Douala Urban Mobility Project. Project officials explained that the city intends to build new feeder roads rather than only rehabilitate existing routes because the future BRT system requires reliable, long-lasting infrastructure to connect passengers from neighbourhoods to the main transit corridors.
The feeder roads are expected to have a minimum lifespan of 20 years, matching the projected durability of the main BRT corridor. Officials said many of Douala’s existing roads do not meet the standards needed to support future bus operations, making new road development necessary for long-term service reliability and passenger access.
The PPP arrangement for the bus fleet is still under feasibility and profitability studies. Once the structure is finalized, it will be submitted to the Public-Private Partnership Support Council, known as CARPA, which assists the government in designing PPP contracts. Final terms for the proposed arrangement are expected by the end of 2026.
Construction of the BRT system is also expected to begin by the end of 2026. The first phase will involve building 12 kilometres of feeder roads at an estimated cost of around CFA4 billion. In the long term, the project will include 80 kilometres of feeder roads designed to connect passengers to the main BRT corridors.
The total cost of the Douala BRT project is estimated at CFA335.3 billion. The World Bank is expected to provide the largest share of financing, with a commitment of CFA261 billion, while the PPP component is expected to contribute CFA62.1 billion. The government, through the City of Douala, is expected to provide CFA12.4 billion.
The future BRT network will include four lines covering 28 kilometres and 48 stations, with stations planned at an average distance of 500 metres. Five major transit hubs are also planned at the former customs headquarters, Ndokoti, PK14, Nelson Mandela and Yassa to improve connections between different modes of transport.
The project is expected to help Douala reduce congestion, improve the reliability of public transport and strengthen connections between outlying neighbourhoods and key economic centres. Its success will depend on the quality of feeder-road infrastructure, the attractiveness of the PPP model for private operators, and the ability of authorities to coordinate construction, operations and integration with other urban transport services.
