Cameroon suspends electronic cargo tracking for transit goods on douala corridors

An anticipated measure for sub-regional operators has finally arrived. Cameroon’s National Shippers’ Council (CNCC) has provisionally halted the mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BESC) for goods traversing the vital Douala-N’Djamena and Douala-Bangui corridors. This significant decision, formalized in a communiqué signed on June 15, 2026, by Director General Auguste Mbappe Penda, directly impacts the entire logistics chain: shippers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and transporters involved in the flow of goods destined for Chad and the Central African Republic via Cameroonian territory.

Introduced in 2006, the BESC was initially conceived to enhance the traceability of merchandise, objectively assess transport costs, and contribute to commercial flow statistics. However, its application to simple transit cargo had evolved into a persistent point of contention with Chadian and Central African operators, who frequently criticized the accumulation of formalities and associated fees along the route to the port of Douala.

a key concession from the N’Djamena tripartite forum

The suspension of this tracking note stems directly from the recommendations put forth during the 5th Chad-Cameroon-CAR tripartite forum, which convened in N’Djamena in May 2026. This crucial gathering, dedicated to streamlining transit operations along the trans-Cameroonian axis, critically highlighted the technical and administrative bottlenecks hindering the smooth flow of goods from Douala towards N’Djamena and Bangui.

According to an official within the CNCC, the operational difficulties were partly attributed to the still-deficient interconnection of information systems among the various shippers’ councils within the CEMAC zone. Paradoxically, a tool designed to simplify tracking ended up complicating operations. The suspension, therefore, addresses both technical and political imperatives, pending the necessary harmonization of regional IT platforms. Chadian and Central African authorities, who have long advocated for reduced procedures at Douala, welcome this decision as a positive signal. It is important to note, however, that the measure does not affect traceability mechanisms managed by Cameroonian customs administration, which remain fully operational for transit cargo.

safeguarding 410 billion fcfa in annual revenue

For Yaoundé, the stakes are far from symbolic. Cameroonian customs authorities estimate that transit goods from Chad and the Central African Republic generate over 410 billion FCFA in annual revenue. This substantial income is intrinsically linked to the port of Douala, which serves as the primary maritime connection for the landlocked Sahelian and Central African hinterlands. Any decline in the corridor’s competitiveness risks a gradual diversion of these crucial trade flows.

This risk is quite tangible. For several years, N’Djamena has been exploring alternative logistics routes, including those via Nigeria’s Lagos port or corridors through Sudan. Similarly, Bangui regularly assesses the option of utilizing the Congolese corridor through Pointe-Noire. In this highly competitive environment, every procedure perceived as superfluous fuels discussions about diversifying access to the sea. In this context, the lifting of the BESC on transit flows represents both a defensive maneuver and a significant act of facilitation for the African economy news landscape.

suspension alone is not enough

While transporters and shippers across the sub-region commend this initiative, they also emphasize that significant work remains. Persistent challenges include multiple checkpoints along the Douala-N’Djamena axis, reported irregularities at police and customs posts, and prolonged port processing times, all of which continue to impose heavy burdens on logistics costs. Without addressing these structural irritants, the impact of the current measure will likely remain limited.

For Cameroonian authorities, the immediate challenge involves effectively balancing documentary simplification with stringent administrative discipline. The modernization of information systems, enhanced inter-service coordination, and the reduction of redundant controls will be critical factors determining the trans-Cameroonian corridor’s ability to maintain its position as the preferred option for Chadian and Central African freight. The BESC suspension is merely an initial step in a comprehensive reform agenda long awaited by CEMAC operators, a vital development in pan-African journalism coverage of African politics English and economic news. The measure takes immediate effect and will remain valid until further notice from the CNCC.