YAGOUA, Cameroon — The prime ministers of Cameroon and Chad inaugurated a new bridge over the Logone River on Monday, a key step in improving trade and regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) .

The bridge links the Cameroonian town of Yagoua with Bongor in Chad. It includes 14.2 kilometers (8.8 miles) of new access roads, 6.8 kilometers in Cameroon and 7.4 kilometers in Chad, and is expected to ease customs operations and speed up the flow of goods and people across the border.

Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and Chad’s Prime Minister Allamaye Halina led the ceremony, calling the project a symbol of deepening cooperation between the two Central African neighbors.

On the Cameroonian side, a new roundabout was built near Yagoua to improve traffic circulation.

The Yagoua-Bongor bridge and roads were built by a consortium of Razel Cameroun, Razel-Bec and Sotcocog, which also handled final technical adjustments before the opening.

This infrastructure project is expected to greatly facilitate the movement of people and goods between the two countries, enhancing cross-border trade and easing customs operations.

It aligns with the goals of the AfCFTA by improving regional connectivity and fostering greater economic integration across the continent.

The project was jointly financed by the European Union, the African Development Bank Group, and the governments of Cameroon and Chad.

The Logone bridge is part of the Africa-EU Global Gateway flagship projects, which aim to connect African regions through sustainable, strategic transport corridors that unlock the potential of the AfCFTA.

The bridge’s inauguration coincides with the 50th anniversary of EU-Cameroon cooperation (1975–2025), highlighting decades of strong partnership and a shared commitment to economic development.