The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved new financing worth CFA833.8 billion for Cameroon since the launch of its 2023-2028 Country Strategy Paper, marking significant progress in the country’s development partnership with the institution.
The approved financing represents 67.9% of the CFA1.23 trillion indicative program planned under the strategy, according to data released by the bank. However, despite the increase in approved projects, the overall portfolio continues to face implementation challenges, with disbursement rates remaining low.
The active AfDB portfolio in Cameroon stood at CFA1.63 trillion, with a cumulative disbursement rate of 26%. This figure covers all ongoing projects, including those approved before and after the launch of the current strategy, and does not represent the disbursement level of only the newly approved financing.
AfDB commitments to Cameroon have grown significantly during the strategy period, reaching CFA1.60 trillion in 2026 compared with CFA1.23 trillion at the beginning of the period. This represents an increase of CFA377.4 billion, or 30.8%.
The country’s annual borrowing capacity under the bank’s lending framework has also expanded, rising from CFA273.3 billion to CFA429.4 billion. The increase reflects stronger demand for financing proposals and a higher volume of approved projects.
However, approval of financing does not automatically translate into completed projects or immediate economic impact. The portfolio review identified several obstacles slowing implementation, including delays in signing agreements, difficulties meeting conditions required before funds can be released, limited government counterpart funding, and late submission of audit reports.
These challenges affect the entire project cycle, from procurement and contractor mobilization to the actual delivery of infrastructure and services.
Infrastructure remains the main focus of AfDB financing in Cameroon. Transport projects account for more than half of the portfolio, representing 53.83% of total financing, while the energy sector represents 22.32%. Agriculture accounts for 10.8%, and social sector investments represent 9.19%.
Transport and energy projects together make up more than three-quarters of the bank’s active financing in the country, highlighting the institution’s focus on improving connectivity, electricity supply, and economic infrastructure.
Despite ongoing challenges, Cameroon has recorded progress in improving project management. The share of projects classified as high-risk or “red-flagged” declined from 48% at the end of February 2026 to 26% in July 2026.
The improvement brings Cameroon closer to the African Development Bank’s target of reducing problematic projects to 25%. However, the reduction in project risks does not mean that funds have already been disbursed or that projects have been completed.
To accelerate implementation, Cameroon and the AfDB introduced an action plan in February 2026 focused on performance monitoring, monthly sector reviews, and faster intervention on projects experiencing delays.
The government highlights several achievements from its partnership with the AfDB, including road construction projects covering more than 570 kilometers, the 420-megawatt Nachtigal hydropower project, and agricultural support programs involving fertilizer and improved seed distribution.
Current projects are also expected to generate more than 14,500 direct jobs, particularly benefiting young people and women. However, achieving these targets will depend on faster project execution and the removal of administrative and financial obstacles.
As Cameroon moves through the remaining years of its 2023-2028 strategy, the focus is shifting from securing new approvals to ensuring that existing investments translate into completed infrastructure, improved services, and employment opportunities.
The future success of the partnership will depend on reducing delays, improving procurement processes, ensuring timely government contributions, and strengthening project implementation capacity.
