Goods Transit to the Hinterland: Progress Reviewed and New Commitments Made in Kribi

🤝 Strengthening Regional Logistics Cooperation

The forum was chaired by Jean Ernest MASSENA NGALLE BIBEHE, Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, and brought together:

• Gotran DJONO-AHABA, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of CAR,

• Laurent DIHOULNE, representative of Chad’s Minister of Transport,

• the Directors General of Kribi (Patrice MELOM) and Douala (Cyrus NGO’O) ports,

• and key players from shipper councils, logistics operators, customs authorities, and technical services from the three countries.

📉 Tangible Results Acknowledged

Participants reviewed the implementation of the recommendations from the 2021 forum, highlighting several key achievements:

• a drastic reduction in illegal checkpoints from 136 to 29,

• the launch of a Single Window in Kribi,

• the opening of Chadian and Central African customs offices within the ports,

• and the elimination of scanner fees for goods bound for Chad and CAR.

🚧 Toward Seamless Corridors

The forum emphasized further collaboration on:

• streamlined customs procedures,

• digital data exchange,

• and plans for a regional Single Window, aligned with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Delegates from Chad and CAR also took part in an on-site tour of the Kribi port complex on January 11.

📆 Next Forum Scheduled for February 2025 in N’Djamena

In his closing remarks, Minister NGALLE BIBEHE praised the active contribution of Mr. Patrice MELOM, President of Port-Synthèse, and reaffirmed Cameroon’s commitment to improving trade facilitation through efficient and modern corridors.

🗓️ The next forum will take place in N’Djamena in February 2025.