CAR Road Corridor Assessment
The Douala corridor (Douala/Garoua-Boulai/Bouar/Bangui) is the most viable corridor to supply the Central
African Republic. Alternative corridors which could be used include: Matadi – Kinshasa – Bangui, Nyala (Sudan)
– Bangui.
The interest of assessing these alternative corridors is that they could be cost-effective compared to the
Douala Corridor. But this needs to be further assessed.
For more information, see also in annexes, Overland Entry Points
Main domestic road corridors
Corridor Douala/Garoua-Boulai/Bouar/Bangui
Weaknesses of the corridor:
-
High traffic between Douala and Yaoundé, which results unfortunately in frequent road accidents.
The presence of unpaved stretches as mentioned above.
The quota system (60% of cargo discharge at Douala Port and destined to CAR) which sometimes results
in blockages, especially when CAR trucks are not available in sufficient number (Which sometimes happens).
-
Highway banditry are sometimes reported in both sides (Cameroon and CAR)
Strengths of the corridor
It is the main corridor used by commercial trucks from the port of Douala to the Central African
Republic. It is therefore and international route, which means that its maintenance is a priority for both the
Cameroonian and the Central African Governments.
There are many cities on the corridor, meaning that fuel is available and telecommunication is possible
in those cities for commodity tracking purposes.
Good trucking capacity at Douala Port, although the quota system may not facilitate the smooth onforwarding to CAR.
General Information
Total distance In the Central African side the road is not asphalted from the border up to the
town of Baoro, which represents a distance of 208 km. The road is paved
from Baoro to Bangui (392 km).
Total travel
time
From the vessel arrival at Douala Port up to the receipt of the first trucks in
the Central African Republic, it usually takes around 30 days. Actually, 8
days are needed to finalised transit procedure with the customs whereas about
20 days are needed for truck to cover the distance (about 1,500km) up to the
Central African Republic.
Road
classification
n/a
Security
bad
Main
towns/hubs
(Add details below)
Road functional class
Comments
See annexes for map, Corridor Douala/Garoua-Boulai/Bouar/Bangui map
Surface
Paved, Dirt or sand
Comments
As per the current logistical arrangement, cargo arriving at Douala Port and bound for the Central African
Republic is loaded on trucks up to final EDPs in Bouar and Bamgui. It should be mentioned that on the
Cameroonian side the road is entirely asphalted, with the exception of the following two stretches:
-
the stretch from Ayos to Bertoua, which is under pavement;
-
the stretch from Garoua-Boulaï (border with the Central African Republic) to Ngaoundéré.
In the Central African side the road is not asphalted from the border up to the town of Baoro, which
represents a distance of 208 km. The road is paved from Baoro to Bangui (392 km).
Road condition
Seasonal Variations
Comments
Passable by what traffic: dry season
Passable by what traffic: rainy season
Comments
The unpaved stretches of the corridor (in both countries) are extremely difficult for trucks during the rainy
season from June to October. It should however be mentioned that the last unpaved stretch in the
Cameroonian territory (Ayos-Bertoua) is under pavement. On the Central African side, there is project to pave
the stretch between Baoro and the border around the year 2012.
Vessels’ discharge and trucks’ loading at Douala port are slow during the wet season. It should be mentioned
that Douala is a rainy place and the port is unfortunately not well equipped against the rains.
Obstacles and bridges
Landslide/Mudslide, Road damage
Comments
The capacity of the corridor is unknown but can satisfy WFP immediate and future needs For the Central
African Republic, as there are many transport companies based in Douala. However, the following two limiting
factors should be highlighted:
Weighbridges: in the Cameroonian territory, the presence of weighbridges along the corridor has limited
the capacity of trucks to a maximum of 28 mt, where they used to load up to 50 mt. The result is an increase of
the transport rate/cost.
The quota system: 60% of cargo discharged at Douala Port and destined to CAR should be loaded on
Central African trucks and 40% on Cameroonian trucks. The strict implementation of this quota sometimes
results in blockage.
Towns and hubs
Douala and Bertoua Cameroon
Overview
Contacts
Location Cameroon
Connection with other means of transport
Road, Air
Storage capacity
Two warehouses (not assessed) owned by the FAO/WFP Management Committee in Douala (2,000 mt)
and Yaoundé (800 mt) – (Refer to the LCA/Cameroon).
WFP EDPs warehouses in Bertoua (450 mt. It should be mentioned that 1,500 mt additional capacity
which will soon be available as the Cameroon Country Office is planning to establish a logistics hub in Bertoua.