The partnership between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Cameroon has seen a significant rise in approved funding, yet actual disbursement remains sluggish. Since the launch of the 2023-2028 Country Strategy Paper (CSP), the pan-African institution has greenlit eight new projects for Yaoundé, totaling 833.8 billion CFA francs. This figure represents 67.9% of the initial indicative envelope of 1,227.5 billion CFA francs allocated for this period. These figures were shared during a joint review session in the Cameroonian capital, held just three days prior to the announcement.
A notable acceleration in commitments is evident. By 2026, the AfDB’s total commitments to Cameroon have surged to 1,603.6 billion CFA francs, up from 1,226.2 billion at the start of the CSP—a jump of 377.4 billion, or nearly 31%. Concurrently, the country’s annual access capacity to sovereign resources has increased from 273.3 billion to 429.4 billion CFA francs, marking a 57.1% rise. These figures underscore the multilender’s renewed confidence in Cameroon’s economic trajectory.
disbursement rate stalls at 26%
Despite the robust commitments, the translation of these funds into actual expenditures remains painfully slow. The active portfolio, valued at 1,629.2 billion CFA francs during the July 2026 review, has achieved only a cumulative disbursement rate of 26%. This ratio encompasses both pre-CSP operations and those approved since 2023, indicating a systemic challenge in fund absorption rather than a shortfall in newly approved allocations.
The bottlenecks are well-documented. Delays in signing and activating financing agreements, insufficient programming of counterpart funds by the Treasury, and delayed audit reports consistently hinder progress. These hurdles stall every critical phase—from project approval to execution—including meeting preconditions, tender processes, contractor mobilization, and fund disbursement.
transport and energy dominate funding allocations
A sectoral breakdown reveals a heavy tilt toward large-scale infrastructure. Transport commands 53.83% of mobilized resources, followed by energy at 22.32%. Agriculture accounts for 10.8%, while the social sector represents 9.19%. Translating these percentages into absolute terms, transport secures roughly 877 billion CFA francs, while energy garners 364 billion. Together, these two sectors absorb over three-quarters of the AfDB’s exposure in Cameroon.
The Ministry of Economy has highlighted key achievements under this partnership: over 570 kilometers of new roads, the 420 MW Nachtigal hydropower plant, and the distribution of more than 133,000 tons of fertilizers and improved seeds. Ongoing projects are projected to create over 14,500 direct jobs, with a focus on youth and women. However, these outcomes hinge on the timely commencement of construction activities.
projects on red alert decline
There is a glimmer of progress. The share of projects flagged as high-risk—those facing schedule or target threats—has dropped from 48% in late February to 26% by mid-July 2026. This 22-point reduction aligns Cameroon’s portfolio closer to the AfDB’s institutional target of 25%. The improvement reflects early gains from a joint acceleration plan introduced in February, which introduced performance contracts, monthly sector reviews, and priority handling for operations awaiting disbursement for over 15 months.
« We must shift from a procedural mindset to a results-driven culture », emphasized Léandre Bassolé, AfDB’s Director-General for Central Africa. Following the July review, he underscored the pivotal role of the private sector in driving economic transformation. With nearly 68% of the indicative program already approved, the partnership’s success will hinge less on new funding announcements and more on execution speed—streamlining administrative delays, securing national counterpart funding, smoothing tender processes, and meeting audit obligations. Industry observers suggest that the second half of the CSP will be decided not by pledges, but by the tangible delivery of infrastructure.