Cameroon suspends electronic tracking note for transit to Chad and Central African Republic

Logistics operators across the sub-region have finally seen a major administrative hurdle removed. The Cameroon National Shippers’ Council (CNCC) has issued a directive to halt the mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BESC) for goods transiting through the Douala-N’Djamena and Douala-Bangui corridors. This suspension, effective immediately following a circular signed on June 15, 2026, by Director General Auguste Mbappe Penda, applies to the entire supply chain, including shippers, licensed customs brokers, freight forwarders, and transporters handling cargo destined for Chad and the Central African Republic.

Originally introduced in 2006, the BESC was designed to ensure cargo traceability, provide accurate transport cost data, and compile trade statistics. However, enforcing this requirement on goods merely passing through Cameroon had become a persistent source of tension. Operators from Chad and the Central African Republic frequently argued that the system added unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and extra costs to the journey from the port of Douala.

A strategic concession from the N’Djamena forum

This policy change is a direct result of the consensus reached during the 5th Chad-Cameroon-CAR tripartite forum held in N’Djamena in May 2026. That summit focused on streamlining transit along the trans-Cameroonian axis, highlighting the technical and administrative bottlenecks that frequently paralyze the flow of goods from Douala toward N’Djamena and Bangui.

Internal assessments within the CNCC suggest that the system’s failures stem largely from the lack of integrated information systems among the various shippers’ councils within the CEMAC zone. This has led to a paradoxical situation where a tool intended to simplify tracking actually complicates logistics. Consequently, the suspension serves both a technical and political purpose while regional authorities work toward harmonizing their digital platforms.

While Chadian and Central African authorities view this as a positive step they have long advocated for, it is important to note that other traceability mechanisms managed by Cameroon’s customs administration remain in full effect for all transit cargo.

Protecting 410 billion FCFA in annual transit revenue

For the administration in Yaoundé, the stakes are far from symbolic. Cameroonian customs generate more than 410 billion FCFA annually from the transit of goods bound for Chad and the Central African Republic. This revenue is tethered to the port of Douala, which serves as the primary maritime gateway for the landlocked Sahelian and Central African hinterlands. Any decline in the corridor’s efficiency threatens to push these trade flows toward competing regional hubs.

The threat of diversion is very real. N’Djamena has spent years investigating alternative routes, including the port of Lagos in Nigeria or transit paths through Sudan. Meanwhile, Bangui frequently considers the Congolese corridor via Pointe-Noire. In this competitive landscape, every redundant procedure strengthens the argument for diversifying access to the sea. Removing the BESC for transit goods is therefore a defensive move to maintain the port of Douala’s dominance.

Long-term challenges remain for regional trade

While the transport sector welcomes the move, many argue that much more needs to be done to truly modernize the corridor. The persistence of numerous checkpoints along the Douala-N’Djamena route, reports of irregular practices at police and customs stops, and lengthy processing times at the port continue to inflate logistics costs. Without addressing these deep-seated issues, the impact of removing the BESC may be limited.

The challenge for Cameroon now lies in balancing the simplification of paperwork with rigorous administrative oversight. Success will depend on modernizing IT infrastructure, improving inter-agency coordination, and eliminating redundant inspections. This suspension is merely the first phase of a broader reform agenda that CEMAC operators have been demanding for years to ensure the trans-Cameroonian corridor remains the preferred route for regional freight.