The people of Missolè 1 in the Dibamba Subdivision of the Sanaga Maritime Division in the Littoral Region of Cameroon have expressed their full support to the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) following the launch of construction works on the Dibamba Industrial-Port Zone project. Officially launched on July 24, 2025, with the laying of the foundation stone by the Prime Minister Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, the Dibamba Douala Port Industrial Platform (DDIP) located along the banks of the Dibamba River, represents a major leap forward in Cameroon’s ambition to become a regional hub for industry and logistics.
This major endeavor is the result of a strategic partnership between the Cyrus Ngo’o-led PAD and the pan-African operator ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), chaired by CEO Gagan Gupta. Following the memorandum of understanding signed on the same day, ARISE IIP has been entrusted with the design, financing, development, and management of the industrial port activity zone which spans over 500 hectares. This zone is divided into a 350-hectare industrial area, a 100-hectare logistics holding zone, and a 50-hectare residential sector, called the Zone Industrialo-Portuaire de Dibamba (ZAIPD).
In his address, the General Manager of the PAD expressed gratitude to the management of ARISE IIP for their commitment, highlighting PAD’s readiness and resource capacity, especially within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is key to the project’s regional economic significance.
ARISE IIP brings in its extensive experience across different African countries, assuring stakeholders that the necessary funding which is estimated at FCFA 213 billion francs and all necessary administrative prerequisites are in place for swift project commencement.
The project will include a state-of-the-art multimodal logistics zone covering approximately 120 hectares. Key infrastructure components include a 250-meter jetty, bonded warehouses spanning roughly 50,000 m², a large container yard with a 35-hectare empty yard, dedicated filling and unloading zones, a timber yard, lorry parking, and an administrative building housing a One-Stop-Shop to streamline formal procedures. Development will proceed in two integrated phases: Phase 1 focusing on the multimodal logistics zone, followed by the integrated industrial platform.
Transformative milestone to decongest Douala Port
The expansion project is in line with PAD’s transformative vision to modernize and expand the Port of Douala-Bonaberi, which currently handles over one million containers annually.
Thus, the project upon completion, will immediately address the urgent need to decongest the Port of Douala-Bonaberi and support the government’s strategic development goals outlined in the 2050 Master Plan which positions the port as a key hub within the Gulf of Guinea.
By decongesting the port of Douala and improving logistics efficiency, the zone will address structural challenges that have long hindered industrial growth in the region. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Dion Ngute hailed the initiative as a transformative milestone.
“This is more than a project. It is a catalyst for change a symbol of our determination to move from exporting raw materials to producing and transforming locally”, the Prime Minister said.
Dibamba population salutes payment of compensation
The Dibamba Douala Port Industrial Platform is expected to generate approximately 15,000 direct and indirect jobs, and will especially benefit the youth in Dibamba Municipality and the wider Sanaga Maritime Division. Through local representatives, the population applauded the transparent and fair compensation process for displaced residents.
The ceremony to lay the foundation stone follows the payment of compensation to those affected by the project. Some 129 families earlier this month, received financial compensations to the tune of FCFA 1.3 billion for their landed property, ensuring social stability ahead of construction.
The project’s impact goes beyond job creation; it aims to build sustainable ecosystems fostering industrial growth by attracting both local and international investment, particularly in agro-industry, timber, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals, according to ARISE IIP officials.
Cyrus Ngo’o decorated for visionary leadership
In recognition of his visionary leadership at the helm of PAD, Cyrus Ngo’o received the prestigious Grand Officer of the National Order of Valor medal during the event, symbolizing national appreciation for his role in this landmark transformation of the Port of Douala-Bonabéri.
The Prime Minister, personal representative of the Head of State Paul Biya, stated that “the project aligns with import-substitution policies and national economic priorities. And is a direct response of President Biya’s campaign promise”. He called on all stakeholders to collaborate fully to ensure the project’s timely completion, reaffirming the government’s commitment to sustainable development and youth empowerment.
The Dibamba Douala Port Industrial Platform (DDIP) seeks to become a cornerstone of Cameroon’s industrial future, reflecting President Biya’s vision articulated during the 2011 electoral campaign.
First published in NewsWatch newspaper No 214 of Monday, July 28, 2025.
