The Port Authority of Kribi (PAK) in the South Region has launched the second phase of its commercial operations. The official launch of the expansion was presided by the Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Messena Ngalle Bibehe on May 9.
The historic event also had in attendance several members of government notably the Ministers of Finance, Louis Pal Motaze and Forestry and Wildlife, Jules Doret Ndongo as well as investors and key stakeholders who are partners to the maritime facility. With the second phase of the port now operational, experts say Kribi is steadily emerging as a leading regional logistics hub.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Transport said the move marks Cameroon’s ambition to transform Kribi into a strategic industrial and logistics hub for Central Africa.
The development is part of the broader master plan for the Kribi Industrial-Port Complex (CIPK). The Minister said it aligns with President Paul Biya’s vision declared in 2011 to establish a port of reference in Kribi.
Officials said, the port’s capacity has been significantly expanded since February 2025. This, they said, follows the official handing over of Phase II which is now operational with new container terminals, hydrocarbon and mineral handling facilities, and a 33-hectare storage area.
This expansion, supported by Chinese funding and partnerships with global logistics firms, aims to position Kribi as a competitive gateway rivaling other ports in the Gulf of Guinea.
The port’s integrated industrial zone, spanning 1,500 hectares and planned to grow to 15,000 hectares, is designed to attract large-scale industries in agro-industry, mining, forestry, and manufacturing. The investments are projected to create over 50,000 jobs and boost regional economic integration.
The new infrastructure includes modern warehouses, logistics platforms, and business centers, enhancing trade fluidity and value chains within the sub region.
The Port with a 16-meter depth, is uniquely suited to accommodate larger vessels and increased cargo volumes, supporting Cameroon’s industrialization drive and serving as a critical node in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
The port has already demonstrated its regional leadership by facilitating the first AfCFTA-preferenced import operation in Cameroon in 2023.
With the launch, Cameroon, officials noted, is strengthening its position as a regional logistics powerhouse. The country is leveraging Kribi’s strategic location and modern facilities to boost international trade, industrial growth, and sub-regional economic development.
