• Kribi Port Industrial Zone could boost Cameroon growth by up to 8%
• Project aims to create about 150,000 jobs over 15 years
• Development of 4,000-hectare industrial zone backed by public-private partners

The Kribi Port Industrial Zone (KPIZ) is forecast to raise Cameroon’s economic growth by between five and eight percentage points over the next 15 years and generate up to 150,000 jobs. Patrice Melom, Director General of the Port Authority of Kribi and Board Chair of KPIZ, gave the estimate at the zone’s official launch in Yaoundé on 26 February 2026.

The launch followed meetings of the General Assembly and the inaugural Board of the public-private company created to develop and manage 4,000 hectares of integrated industrial land within the port domain of Kribi. The project brings together the Port Authority of Kribi and private partners Africa Global Logistics (AGL), Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms and Belmont Investments.

Melom said the zone is expected to create around 150,000 direct and indirect jobs within 15 years, particularly for young people.

On the fiscal front, he pointed to higher customs duties and tax revenues. “More broadly, we are looking at between five and eight percentage points of growth for our economy over the next fifteen years,” he said.

He added that the mineral terminal and hydrocarbons terminal are expected to be completed within five to six years in collaboration with developers, further strengthening the industrial ecosystem around the port.

KPIZ Director General sets out 12-month priorities

Yves Roger Melingui, Director General of KPIZ, said the company will design, finance, develop, operate and maintain the integrated industrial zone.

“The ambition is to take the Port of Kribi, particularly its industrial component, to another level and align it with international standards in the development of economic and industrial zones,” he said.

He explained that KPIZ would serve as the interface with clients and prospective investors, promoting the zone internationally to attract foreign direct investment.

For the next 12 months, he identified two operational priorities: “The first is to upgrade existing infrastructure and improve the quality of services provided to companies already established in the zone. The second is to launch the development of new phases by finalising detailed technical and environmental studies and mobilising both public and private financing.”

Total investment for the phased development is estimated at approximately CFA 520 billion. The programme includes internal road networks and structured utility systems for energy, water, sanitation and telecommunications, as well as a logistics complex with modular warehouses and a multifunctional business centre.

About 300 hectares of the industrial zone is already operational, with more than 60 companies installed or in the process of installation. These firms operate mainly in logistics and priority industrial sectors including agro-industry, cement, petrochemicals and steel.

Private partners: “We will do 100 times more”

Speaking on behalf of the private partners, AGL Ports & Terminals CEO Olivier de Noray said the launch marked the second phase of a major project for Cameroon and the sub-region.

“The industrial zone is the natural extension of the port as a gateway,” he said, noting that ten years ago the site had limited industrial activity.

“What we are launching now will be one hundred times more significant than what already exists,” he added, saying the new structure would enable the project to scale up in line with national development priorities.

Léandre Bassole, representing the African Development Bank Group, said the project reflects the type of structured and results-driven partnership the institution supports.

He added that when the private sector is involved from the design stage, resources are better allocated and incentives are clear, “investment follows, confidence is built and impact expands.”

Presentation of KPIZ

Since operations began in 2018, the Port of Kribi has recorded 3,422 vessel calls, handled 93 million tonnes of cargo and processed 2.15 million containers. It has generated more than CFA 1,200 billion in customs revenue and is the country’s leading container terminal capable of receiving the world’s largest vessels.

KPIZ was created in February 2026 as part of the national development strategy to structure industrial expansion within the port estate. Development will proceed in phases over 15 years, structured around clusters including wood processing and logistics, steel linked to mineral exports, petrochemicals, agro-industry and construction materials.

The ceremony concluded with the signing of two agreements: a shareholders’ agreement governing relations between partners within the company, and a delegation convention between the Port Authority of Kribi and KPIZ specifying the missions entrusted to the subsidiary and the framework for monitoring implementation.

Mercy Fosoh, with Business in Cameroon