Chad disputes Cameroon’s proposed railway route

N’Djamena’s rejection of the railway route recently endorsed by Yaoundé exposes the limitations of a unilateral approach in executing major regional integration projects. Beyond the technical disagreement, this contention illuminates the profound economic, geopolitical, and territorial considerations surrounding this crucial infrastructure, poised to redefine trade dynamics between Cameroon, Chad, and the wider world.

Envisioned as a cornerstone of Central African economic integration, the prospective railway linking Cameroon and Chad is already navigating its initial political turbulence. On June 4, the Steering Committee for Structuring Projects, chaired by the Cameroonian Head of State at the Unity Palace, approved a rail corridor designed to connect Ngaoundéré to N’Djamena, passing through Garoua, Figuil, Maroua, and Kousséri before crossing into the Chadian capital.

Cameroonian authorities presented this route as the most viable from economic, technical, and territorial standpoints. It is intended to serve as a natural extension of Cameroon’s existing rail network into the Sahel, bolstering Cameroon’s strategic position as a vital maritime gateway for landlocked Central Africa. However, this announcement immediately drew a sharp reaction from Chadian officials.

Days later, Chad’s Ministry of Transport released a communiqué, reiterating that no definitive route had yet received joint approval from both nations. N’Djamena thus conveyed its disapproval of a decision it viewed as premature, asserting that various options remained under discussion within the framework of ongoing bilateral studies and consultations. This divergence, far from being a minor detail, underscores the inherent fragility in the governance of large-scale cross-border projects across the sub-region.

A pivotal project for regional integration

The project’s ambition is substantial. Stretching over 900 kilometers according to preliminary studies, the future railway line aims to directly link the Cameroonian network to Chad, a landlocked nation where over 80% of foreign trade currently traverses the Douala-N’Djamena road corridor. This infrastructure aligns with the regional strategy for developing multimodal corridors, championed by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and supported by numerous international technical and financial partners. Its estimated cost, running into several billion dollars, would make it one of the most significant infrastructure investments ever contemplated between the two countries. Ultimately, the railway is expected to streamline the transport of hydrocarbons, cotton, livestock, cereals, construction materials, and containerized goods originating from the ports of Douala and Kribi. Project proponents also anticipate a reduction in logistics costs, enhanced business competitiveness, and a smoother flow of commercial exchanges throughout the broader Cameroon-Chad basin.

A strategic endeavor for two complementary economies

For both Cameroon and Chad, the stakes extend far beyond mere railway transport. As a landlocked country, Chad heavily relies on the Cameroonian corridor for its external trade. A substantial portion of its imports already passes through the Port of Douala before being transported by road to N’Djamena. This logistical dependence has, for decades, represented a significant factor in Chad’s economic vulnerability.

The advent of rail could fundamentally alter the landscape

According to various studies conducted in recent years, a modern railway link would dramatically reduce logistics expenses, accelerate the movement of goods, and boost the competitiveness of businesses in both countries. It would also offer a more sustainable alternative to road transport, which incurs high maintenance costs and whose performance is often impacted by climatic uncertainties. For Cameroon, the project presents an opportunity to further enhance the value of its Douala and Kribi port infrastructures, reinforcing their role as natural gateways to the Sahelian hinterland. The objective is therefore considerable: to forge a genuine economic corridor capable of increasing commercial exchanges, attracting industrial investments, and fostering the local processing of raw materials.

Behind the route, a contest for economic benefits

While the discussion appears to center on a simple matter of routing, the true underlying issues are far more complex. The route approved by Yaoundé prioritizes traversing Cameroon’s Grand North region before reaching N’Djamena. This option serves several national objectives. Firstly, it would further open up Cameroon’s northern regions, which frequently suffer from an infrastructure deficit. Secondly, it would encourage the development of logistics, commercial, and industrial hubs in cities such as Garoua, Maroua, and Kousséri. For the Cameroonian government, this project is as much a tool for territorial development as it is a transportation initiative.

However, from the Chadian perspective, the interpretation differs.

N’Djamena believes that the currently favored route does not adequately address the needs of its national economy. Several Chadian officials advocate for an alternative that would better serve specific agricultural and productive zones within the country, ensuring that the benefits of the future corridor are not confined solely to the capital. This divergence illustrates a common reality in regional projects: each state naturally seeks to maximize economic benefits within its own territory. The railway is not just an infrastructure; it dictates the future location of investments, logistical platforms, industrial zones, and service activities. Choosing a route, therefore, means distributing development opportunities for decades to come.

Regional integration tested by national sovereignties

This episode also serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges facing economic integration in Central Africa. Despite rhetoric favoring regional cooperation, major infrastructure projects are often still conceived primarily through national lenses. Yet, the economic viability of a cross-border corridor fundamentally depends on its capacity to serve the interests of all stakeholders. International experience demonstrates that successful regional infrastructures typically rely on shared governance mechanisms from the very initial design phases. Decisions regarding financing, routes, technical standards, and operations are then made collaboratively to ensure the political commitment of all partners.

Otherwise, the risks of obstruction increase considerably

The case of the Cameroon-Chad railway project unfolds within a broader context where several African countries are actively seeking to strengthen their regional connectivity.