A decisive milestone has been reached for Central Africa’s primary aviation hub. On December 15, 2025, Aéroports du Cameroun (ADC S.A.) and the French Development Agency (AFD) sealed a historic XAF 38.3 billion loan agreement. This funding completes the financing round for the Douala Passenger Terminal Renovation Project (RAP-AID), a colossal XAF 95 billion undertaking designed to elevate the platform to international IATA standards.
The horizon is clearing for supply chain operators and passenger transport providers in Cameroon. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport, the signing of this agreement between Thomas OWONA ASSOUMOU, CEO of ADC S.A., and Virginie DAGO, Director of AFD Cameroon, marks the operational launch of a structural transformation a decade in the making.
A XAF 95 Billion Tripartite Financing Scheme
The total cost of the RAP-AID project, estimated at XAF 95 billion (inc. tax), reflects the Cameroonian government’s ambition to reposition Douala as an essential gateway to the CEMAC zone. The financial structure is broken down as follows:
| Funding Source | Amount (Billion XAF) | Nature of Contribution |
| AFD (French Development Agency) | 38.3 | Loan (15-year repayment, 5-year grace period) |
| ADC S.A. (Equity) | 36.7 | Direct Investment |
| State of Cameroon | 20.0 | Coverage of taxes and customs duties |
The first disbursement of funds is scheduled for 2026, paving the way for a construction phase expected to radically transform the country’s airport landscape.
Objective: IATA Standard “C” and 1.5 Million Passengers
Beyond aesthetics, the technical renovation—presented by Project Manager Emmanuel SIME—addresses critical logistics competitiveness requirements. The RAP-AID project aims for full compliance with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and CEMAC regulations.
Key Modernization Highlights:
-
IATA Compliance: Achieving “Level of Service C” to guarantee optimal passenger flow.
-
Security & Safety: Deep upgrades to screening and surveillance equipment.
-
Customer Experience: Increased check-in capacity, modernized transit zones, and enhanced accessibility.
“The upcoming renovation project will profoundly transform the passenger experience with a modernized terminal that is more fluid, safer, compliant with international standards, and fully capable of welcoming up to 1.5 million passengers per year,” emphasized Ms. Virginie DAGO during the ceremony.
A Strategic Stake for the Regional Supply Chain
The modernization of Douala Airport is more than just a matter of prestige. For the Central African Supply Chain, Douala serves as a strategic linchpin. A high-performance terminal means better connectivity for business travelers and, by extension, improved management of the mixed flows (freight/passenger) transiting through Cameroon’s economic capital.
The Minister Delegate to the Minister of Transport, NJI NJOYA ZAKARIAOU, further insisted on the “competitiveness of the platform,” mandating ADC S.A. to exercise exemplary rigor in selecting contractors and supervising the works.
Challenges Ahead
The success of RAP-AID will rest on two main pillars:
-
Strict Adherence to Schedule: To avoid the frequent cost overruns associated with large-scale infrastructure projects on the continent.
-
Maintenance: Ensuring the longevity of the high-tech equipment to be installed.
With this investment, Cameroon is making a bold move to close the gap with emerging hubs like Libreville or Kigali. If the project execution matches the financial ambition, Douala can legitimately claim its role as a true regional “hub.”
Logis-T Africa
