Cameroon and CAR Launch $3 Million Initiative to Streamline Border Trade

A new $3 million trade project, PAMOZ, officially launched in Yaoundé on October 6, 2026, aims to dismantle long-standing barriers for entrepreneurs operating between Cameroon and the Central African Republic. By targeting the vital Douala-Bangui and Douala-Kusari corridors, the 24-month initiative seeks to integrate regional value chains and empower local border communities.

Editorial·October 14, 2026·reads: 1,724

Cameroon and CAR Launch $3 Million Initiative to Streamline Border Trade

The African Development Bank Group is providing $2.7 million for the project, with technical oversight from the International Organization for Migration. Efforts will focus on simplifying border management and reducing logistical hurdles for transport operators and small businesses. Cameroon’s Trade Minister Luc-Magloire Mbarga Atangana emphasized that the program leverages the African Continental Free Trade Area to foster inclusive economic growth, specifically targeting women and youth.

These trade routes serve as essential lifelines for the landlocked Central African Republic. With CAR recording $984 million in trade in 2024, improving transit efficiency is critical to connecting the nation to broader regional markets. Beyond physical infrastructure, the project promotes safe, orderly migration as a catalyst for economic vitality. According to IOM Chief of Mission in Cameroon Abdel Rahmane Diop, human mobility is a core driver of regional development, and the project intends to transform these border crossings into hubs of opportunity rather than points of friction.