The collaboration between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Cameroon showcases a substantial increase in approved funding volumes, yet struggles to achieve a corresponding utilization of these resources. Since the implementation of the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for 2023-2028, the pan-African institution has greenlit eight new operations for Yaoundé, totaling an impressive 833.8 billion FCFA. This figure represents 67.9% of the initial indicative envelope, which was set at 1,227.5 billion FCFA for the period. These critical financial details were made public on July 17, 2026, by the Bank, following a joint review session held three days prior in the Cameroonian capital.
A clear acceleration in commitments is evident. The AfDB now pegs its total commitments to Cameroon at 1,603.6 billion FCFA in 2026, a significant leap from 1,226.2 billion at the DSP’s inception. This marks an increase of 377.4 billion FCFA, or nearly 31%. Simultaneously, the nation’s annual capacity to access sovereign window resources has surged from 273.3 to 429.4 billion FCFA, an impressive 57.1% rise. These figures underscore the multilateral lender’s renewed confidence in Cameroon’s economic trajectory and creditworthiness, reflecting positively on African economy today.
Disbursement rate stagnates at 26% despite growing commitments
However, converting these strong commitments into actual expenditure remains a formidable challenge. The entire active portfolio, valued at 1,629.2 billion FCFA during the joint review on July 14, 2026, registers a cumulative disbursement rate of merely 26%. This ratio encompasses both operations predating the DSP and those approved since 2023. It is crucial to understand that this does not imply only 26% of the recently validated 833.8 billion FCFA has been mobilized; rather, it highlights a structural difficulty within Cameroon to effectively absorb and deploy available financing.
The underlying causes identified during the review are persistent. Delays in the signing and entry into force of financing agreements, insufficient allocation of counterpart funds by the Public Treasury, and the tardy submission of audit reports to the lender consistently impede progress. These recurring bottlenecks slow down every phase from project approval to actual execution, impacting prerequisite fulfillment, procurement processes, enterprise mobilization, and the timely release of tranches.
Transport and energy sectors dominate AfDB financing in Cameroon
A sectoral analysis of the portfolio confirms a strong emphasis on heavy infrastructure. The transport sector accounts for 53.83% of the mobilized resources, followed by energy, which captures 22.32%. Agriculture holds a 10.8% share, while the social sector represents 9.19%. When measured against the total value of the active portfolio, these proportions translate to approximately 877 billion FCFA for transport and 364 billion FCFA for energy. Together, these two crucial segments monopolize more than three-quarters of the Bank’s total exposure in Cameroon, a key aspect of West Africa news and development.
The Ministry of Economy proudly showcases several achievements stemming from this partnership: the construction of over 570 kilometers of roads, the Nachtigal hydroelectric power plant with its 420 MW installed capacity, and the distribution of more than 133,000 tons of improved fertilizers and seeds. Furthermore, ongoing operations are projected to generate over 14,500 direct jobs, with a specific focus on empowering youth and women. These promising projections, however, are contingent upon the effective commencement of project implementation.
Decline in red-alert projects signals positive shift
A notable indicator suggests a positive shift. The proportion of projects flagged as ‘red alert’—those facing threats to their timelines or objectives—has decreased from 48% at the end of February to 26% by mid-July 2026. This significant 22-point reduction moves Cameroon’s portfolio closer to the AfDB’s institutional target of 25%. This improvement reflects the initial positive outcomes of a joint acceleration plan adopted in February, which introduced performance contracts, monthly sectoral reviews, and prioritized the processing of operations signed but undiscussed for over fifteen months.
“We must transition from a procedural mindset to a culture driven by results,” emphasized Léandre Bassolé, AfDB Director General for Central Africa. Following the July review, the official underscored the vital role expected from the private sector in driving economic transformation within Cameroon. With nearly 68% of the indicative program already validated, the success of this partnership will hinge less on the volume of new announcements and more on the speed of execution: reducing administrative delays, securing national counterpart funds, streamlining procurement processes, and ensuring compliance with audit obligations. The latter half of the DSP period will be defined by the tangible delivery of essential infrastructure on the ground, a critical aspect of African politics and development.
