(Business in Cameroon) - Cameroon faces potential financial liabilities totaling 87.49 billion CFA francs as a result of ongoing disputes with contractors involved in major public works, according to the certification report for the government’s 2024 General Account.

The State Audit Chamber’s report identifies a series of legal risks mainly involving the Ministry of Public Works. Depending on the outcomes of the litigation, these off-budget commitments could place a significant additional burden on the state.

Wouri Bridge Arbitration and Road Project Dispute

The first major case concerns Sogea Satom and Soletanche Bachy, the joint contractors for the Second Wouri Bridge, a project valued at 141.6 billion CFA francs. The bridge is essential for easing traffic between Bonabéri, a major industrial zone, and central Douala, and for improving links to the West, Northwest, and Southwest regions.

The dispute has been brought before the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration in Paris. According to information reported by Africa Intelligence, the conflict stems from failures by the Cameroonian state to meet its obligations as the contracting authority. The Audit Chamber now estimates the financial risk for the state from this arbitration at 15 billion CFA francs.

A second major dispute involves the Andrade Gutierrez Zagope group, which won the contract for the Garoua Boulaï to Ngaoundéré road project. This major route connects Cameroon to the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Chad. The 89-kilometer section was delivered in October 2018 after approval by an inter-ministerial commission and by the project’s funders, specifically the African Development Bank and the World Bank. The work cost 41.42 billion CFA francs, with another 1.5 billion francs for supervision by Egis. Although the report does not specify the source of the dispute, the Audit Chamber has recorded a potential risk of 52 billion CFA francs, reflecting the size of the Brazilian company’s claims.

Local Contractors and Contract Weaknesses

Several local service providers are also involved in major disputes. Super Confort SARL, under contract No. 79/M/MINTP/CSPM PLANUT/2020, represents an estimated risk of 11.94 billion CFA francs. Two other cases involving Bofas SARL could cost the state 14.32 billion and 23.40 billion CFA francs, bringing the company’s total potential exposure to more than 37 billion francs.

Taken together, these cases point to systemic weaknesses in the execution, oversight, and safeguarding of public procurement contracts. The large sums involved pose a serious fiscal risk and raise concerns about project management, contract oversight, and the governance of major infrastructure works. As Cameroon undertakes new large-scale projects, the Audit Chamber suggests the need for tighter controls to limit financial exposure that could affect the country’s fiscal stability.

Amina Malloum