An ambitious urban road project encircling Yaoundé, Cameroon’s bustling capital, has attracted a new international bidder. Ashoka Buildcon Limited, a major Indian infrastructure developer, has submitted a comprehensive proposal for the 1.26 trillion CFA francs bypass project, encompassing design, construction, and financial structuring. The proposal was formally presented on June 9 to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the government agency overseeing the initiative.
During the meeting, Vinit Chitale, the company’s global business development head, outlined a turnkey Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model. This approach places full responsibility on a single contractor for engineering, procurement, construction, and project delivery. Ashoka Buildcon also expressed readiness to assist in securing the necessary financing, a critical advantage given the incomplete funding landscape for the scheme.
a 90-kilometer bypass to ease congestion in Yaoundé
The proposed bypass stretches 90.54 kilometers in dual two-lane configuration, cutting through four departments: Mfoundi, Lékié, Mefou-et-Afamba, and Mefou-et-Akono. Its generous design allows for future upgrades to an expressway or dedicated public transport corridor. The route is divided into four segments: starting at Mbankomo, passing Nkolméyang, Nkozoa, Minkoameyos, and looping back to Mbankomo.
The project includes sixteen interchanges, multiple bridges, and hydraulic installations to enhance safety along the alignment. Official estimates indicate the road component alone will cost 794.7 billion CFA francs. Additionally, four urban development hubs in Mbankomo, Mfou, Soa, and Okola will require 469 billion CFA francs for urbanization, bringing the total investment to 1.26 trillion CFA francs. These figures translate to approximately 8.8 billion CFA francs per kilometer for the roadway, rising to around 14 billion CFA francs per kilometer when urban development costs are included—making it one of the most expensive infrastructure schemes ever launched in Central Africa.
T3 segment: a technical showcase for european lenders
With limited capacity to launch all four segments simultaneously, the government has prioritized the 22.8-kilometer T3 segment. This section connects Nkozoa on National Road 1 to Minkoameyos at the Yaoundé-Douala highway interchange. Its strategic importance lies in intercepting a significant portion of transit traffic before it enters the capital, reducing pressure on central roads.
The European Union and the European Investment Bank have shown strong interest in funding T3. However, their participation remains contingent on technical, environmental, and social prerequisites, including compensation payments, impact assessments, and finalization of resettlement action plans. Ashoka Buildcon’s proposal could expand the range of viable solutions for Yaoundé by addressing these funding gaps.
Yet, key uncertainties persist. The legal framework of the contract, financial terms, potential state guarantees, and how the Indian proposal aligns with existing European financing for T3 remain unresolved. A hybrid financing model combining concessional European funds with Indian investment across other segments is under consideration.
ashoka buildcon: a diversified indian infrastructure giant
Ashoka Buildcon Limited stands as one of India’s leading road infrastructure developers. The company operates across multiple models, including EPC, public-private partnerships, Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), and the Hybrid Annuity Model—a structure where the state covers part of the investment while the operator repays the remainder through annuities. Beyond roads, the group is active in energy, railways, and real estate.
For Cameroonian authorities, the appeal of Ashoka Buildcon lies in its ability to integrate engineering, execution, and financial structuring into a single, cohesive proposal. However, no decision has been made yet. The Indian firm’s move represents an expression of interest in a project that is technically advanced but still awaiting financial closure. Transforming years of planning into groundbreaking progress remains the ultimate test for Yaoundé. Insiders note that the company’s involvement coincides with active efforts to secure additional partners for the scheme.
