Borderless Ambitions:
Cameroon and Chad Streamline Trade with New Deal

In a critical move to enhance regional trade and cooperation, Cameroon and Chad have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at streamlining the transit of goods between the two countries. This agreement, signed on April 28, 2025, by Cyrus Ngo’o, Director General of the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) and Hamid Djoumino, Director General of Chad’s Shippers’ Council (COC-Tchad), marks a pivotal step in improving logistics and customs processes along the vital Douala-N’Djamena corridor.

The agreement, effective for four years and renewable, is designed to make the Port of Douala more accessible and efficient for Chadian shippers. It includes provisions for the establishment of dedicated service points at the port to manage Chadian cargo, which is expected to reduce waiting times and expedite operations. In addition, the Port Authority has committed to offering preferential rates for Chadian goods and activating a long-standing but underutilized logistics zone within the port that was allocated to Chad.

The Chadian Shippers’ Council has pledged to enhance communication with PAD, resolve logistical issues quickly, and actively encourage Chadian importers and exporters to prioritize the Douala port. The goal is to increase the volume of Chadian goods passing through the port, thus reinforcing the economic ties between the two countries.

The agreement also establishes a joint monitoring committee, co-chaired by the heads of both organizations, which will oversee the implementation and ensure that the protocol remains responsive to the needs of both parties.

This renewed partnership comes at a critical moment, as Chad continues to explore alternative trade routes and deepen its economic integration within the region. Notably, in December 2024, Chad signed another major agreement with Equatorial Guinea to open up maritime access through the port of Bata. Faced with this growing competition, Cameroon is keen to secure its position as Chad’s primary trade gateway and retain the CFA350 billion (about $570 million) in annual revenue generated by Chadian transit trade.

Building on decades of cooperation, including the 1999 Cameroon-Chad road transport agreement and the 1965 UNCTAD convention supporting landlocked countries, this new protocol underscores the strategic importance of regional collaboration and economic interdependence. Both nations are now poised to benefit from a more dynamic, efficient, and mutually beneficial trade corridor.