(Business in Cameroon) - Tollgate fees could increase by 400% once the first 14 automatic toll gates are built, commissioned and put in operation in Cameroon. Indeed, according to a source close to the project, based on the proposals of the companies shortlisted for the construction, the price of the toll gate ticket would increase from CFA500 to CFA2,500.

“Anyway, with the automatization, toll gate fees will increase even if it is not to the extent of your estimations”, an authorized source said.

This potential increase could be the main concern of public authorities who fear the impact of this charge imposed on transporters on transport costs in the country.

For instance, with such price, a transporter going from Yaoundé to Douala could hardly charge the usual price which is between CFA2,500 to CFA3,000 since they would have to pay CFA5,000 as toll gate fee (CFA2,500 at each of the gates at Boumyebel and Edéa, two of the most profitable toll gates which will be automised)

It is worth noting that the project to build automatic toll gates in Cameroon was written in 2009. According to the government, the aim of this project is to make the 14 toll gates which produce 75% of the toll gates’ revenues in Cameroon more profitable.

Three consortiums have been shortlisted for the construction of these automatic toll gates and they have already submitted their proposals in May 2018. These are namely Razel-Bec-Egis Projects, Vinci Highway-Sogea Satom-Vinci Concessions, and Group Five-Intertoll Africa Limited.

Group Five-Intertoll Africa Limited has already signed a partnership with Mtn Cameroon to modernize toll gate payments via Mobile Money.

Brice R. Mbodiam