Cameroon has taken a decisive step in its industrialisation drive with the official launch of a company to develop an integrated industrial zone at the deep-water Port of Kribi, in the country's southwest.

The Kribi Port Industrial Zone (KPIZ) was launched on 26 February 2026 in Yaoundé, at a ceremony chaired by Patrice Melom, KPIZ Chairperson and Director General of the Port Autonome de Kribi, and attended by the project’s shareholders, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, and representatives of international organisations.

The new company is jointly owned by Africa Global Logistics (AGL), Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms, and Belmont Investments. The African Development Bank Group, the lead project partner and key strategic financier for the initiative, has committed to mobilising the entire €411 million required in public financing, and is also positioning itself to support the mobilisation of EUR 384 million in private sector investment.

The project, which was showcased by the Bank Group during the Africa Investment Forum Market Days 2024, is expected to generate at least 50,000 direct jobs and 150,000 indirect jobs, and significantly increase fiscal revenues. It is also estimated that every euro invested into the project will generate up to 20 Euro in total economic returns. The project will broaden Cameroon’s productive base, boost manufacturing's share of GDP and strengthen export competitiveness.

Anchored to the Port Autonome de Kribi, one of the continent’s major deep-water port hubs, the integrated industrial zone is intended to serve as a strategic driver of Cameroon’s Industrialisation Master Plan and National Development Strategy. The Kribi port industrial zone is expected to become a catalyst for inclusive industrialisation, sustainable job creation and deeper economic integration in Central Africa.

“The state provides the strategic vision, stability and alignment with national priorities; the private sector brings capital, technical expertise, execution capacity and innovation; and the African Development Bank ensures financial leadership, structuring of the financing package and overall project coherence,” said Léandre Bassolé, Director General of the Bank’s Central Africa Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Office. “Through this strategic investment, we aim, alongside the Government of Cameroon, to catalyse private sector investment, create sustainable jobs and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.”

Beyond financing, the African Development Bank will also provide high-level technical assistance, support local capacity building and ensure the integration of strong standards in energy efficiency, responsible resource management, and climate resilience.

Melom, the KPIZ Board Chair, said, “Through this initiative, the Port of Kribi aims to combine the performance of a deep-water port infrastructure with the expertise of leading investors to develop a world-class port-based industrial zone serving Cameroon’s economic transformation and strengthening Central Africa’s regional competitiveness.”

Source: AfDB