The expansion of modern port infrastructure across Africa continues to attract global logistics investors, and Cameroon’s principal maritime gateway has become the latest focal point. In February 2026, AD Ports Group formally joined the 30-year concession for the development of a new dry bulk terminal at the Port of Douala, strengthening the United Arab Emirates’ growing strategic presence in African maritime infrastructure.
The agreement places AD Ports Group alongside Africa Ports Development in a long-term project designed to expand cargo handling capacity at Cameroon’s busiest port. The initiative reflects the increasing role of public-private partnerships in modernizing Africa’s critical logistics infrastructure and unlocking trade potential across regional supply chains.
The Port of Douala remains the backbone of Cameroon’s maritime trade, handling roughly 80 percent of the country’s bulk cargo and approximately 85 percent of national trade volumes. Located on the Wouri River estuary, the port also serves as a major gateway for landlocked economies in Central Africa, including Chad and the Central African Republic. As trade volumes have expanded steadily over the past decade, pressure has mounted on existing infrastructure, prompting a wave of modernization projects led by the Port Authority of Douala.
The new concession establishes an investment structure in which AD Ports Group, together with two other UAE investors, will hold 60 percent of the operating company, while Africa Ports Development will retain 40 percent ownership. Within this structure, AD Ports Group’s effective economic interest is estimated at 51 percent.
Under the agreement, AD Ports Group will contribute approximately AED 320 million (about EUR 73.4 million) toward the development of the first phase of the project. Phase one includes the construction of two berths and roughly 450 metres of quay wall, designed to support an annual handling capacity of around four million tonnes of dry bulk cargo.
The terminal will primarily handle commodities such as clinker, gypsum, fertiliser, and grain, which are essential to Cameroon’s construction, agricultural, and industrial sectors. By improving cargo handling efficiency and increasing throughput capacity, the facility is expected to reduce congestion at the port and accelerate supply chains feeding both domestic industries and regional markets.
Construction is scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2028, with implementation carried out in close coordination with the Port Authority of Douala. The development is intended to respond to sustained demand for bulk cargo infrastructure at Cameroon’s principal maritime gateway, which continues to experience rising import volumes linked to infrastructure development and industrial expansion.
Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, Regional Chief Executive Officer of AD Ports Group, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the company’s African growth strategy.
“This agreement represents a strategically important expansion of AD Ports Group’s presence in Africa and reinforces our commitment to developing high-impact maritime infrastructure in high-growth markets,” he said. “The Douala dry bulk terminal will enhance trade resilience, support industrial development, and strengthen Cameroon’s role as a gateway to Central Africa.”
Al Menhali also emphasized the importance of collaboration with local partners. Through the partnership with Africa Ports Development, AD Ports Group aims to combine regional expertise with global port management capabilities to support the modernization agenda of the Port Authority of Douala.
Marc Tabchy, Managing Partner of Africa Ports Development, highlighted the strategic alignment between the partners.
“We are honoured to bring this partnership to life with AD Ports Group, a global reference that shares our belief in the potential of Cameroon and the wider African continent,” he said. “This collaboration creates a powerful synergy between our regional knowledge and AD Ports Group’s operational excellence.”
Beyond infrastructure expansion, the project is expected to deliver meaningful economic impact. The development and operation of the new terminal are projected to generate up to 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to workforce development, logistics sector growth, and broader economic activity in Cameroon.
The terminal will also benefit from strong hinterland connectivity linking Douala with major industrial centres and trade corridors across Central Africa. These connections reinforce the port’s strategic role as a logistics gateway for regional supply chains stretching far beyond Cameroon’s borders.
The investment also forms part of AD Ports Group’s wider expansion across the African continent. The company has steadily built operations and partnerships in several countries, including Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, and the Republic of the Congo, positioning itself as a long-term partner in Africa’s evolving trade and logistics ecosystem.
With the Douala dry bulk terminal project now underway, the partnership between AD Ports Group, Africa Ports Development, and the Port Authority of Douala signals a new phase of infrastructure development for Cameroon’s maritime sector—one aimed at strengthening regional trade connectivity and supporting the long-term economic transformation of Central Africa.
