Logone Bridge Unites Cameroon and Chad in Historic Leap for Safety, Trade, and Regional Integration

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A new bridge connecting Cameroon and Chad is being celebrated as a landmark development for safety, trade, and regional unity in Central Africa. The USD 625 million Logone Bridge, funded by a consortium of African and international development partners, now stretches across the Logone River—a natural border that was historically dangerous to cross.

Linking the town of Yagoua in northern Cameroon to Bongor in southern Chad, the bridge replaces a hazardous crossing that claimed numerous lives over the years. Previously, locals had no choice but to traverse the river in dugout canoes or depend on unreliable ferries, facing threats such as flooding, strong currents, and even attacks from hippos. In some cases, people swam across the river, often with fatal consequences.

Pierre Fissou, an education adviser from Yagoua, remembered the risks clearly: “There were so many dangers. Lives were lost, including those close to me,” he told the African Development Bank (AfDB).

After five years of construction and a €578 million investment, the bridge was completed with funding from the AfDB, African Development Fund, European Union, and the governments of Chad and Cameroon. French firm Razel-Bec led the construction.

The project is part of the AfDB’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033), aiming to foster regional integration and improve quality of life. During a site visit in November, AfDB’s Central Africa Managing Director, Serge N’Guessan, described the bridge as “a prime example of regional cooperation and a driver of economic growth in Central Africa.”

For local communities, the impact has been immediate. “A journey that used to take up to an hour now takes just minutes,” said Fissou. “It feels like we’re living on the same land.” The new bridge has not only made travel safer and faster but also strengthened social ties, connected essential services, and boosted local economies.

Farmers and merchants can now transport goods more easily, reach broader markets, and avoid the perils of water crossings. “We can now access markets without endangering ourselves or our products,” said Fatimé Mahamat, a trader in Bongor. The bridge is expected to enhance food security, stabilise regional supply chains, and support border economies, while deepening diplomatic and commercial ties between the two nations.

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More than just infrastructure, the Logone Bridge stands as a symbol of modern African unity. It highlights the real-world benefits of coordinated development efforts, particularly in underserved areas. By improving transport, trade, and regional connections, the bridge is not just linking two towns—it’s strengthening bonds between two countries and setting the stage for broader continental integration.