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Cameroon revives Douala mega-airport plan with \$2 billion US-backed development push Cameroon revives Douala mega-airport plan with \$2 billion US-backed development push

Cameroon is once again turning its attention to one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects on its national agenda. The government has revived long-standing discussions over a brand-new international airport to serve Douala, the country's economic capital, with US engineering firm A. Epstein and Sons International and financial partner Integrated Trade Finance (ITF) in talks over a proposed \$2 billion development in the Littoral region. For sub-Saharan Africa's travel trade, the announcement signals renewed momentum behind one of Central Africa's most anticipated aviation projects.

The proposed airport would represent a significant departure from Cameroon's existing aviation infrastructure. The current Douala International Airport handles roughly 1.5 million passengers a year through its four terminals, serving as the country's primary hub for passenger and cargo traffic and connecting Cameroon to major African and international destinations. Passenger traffic is projected to expand further under a parallel upgrade programme, with capacity targeted to grow to 2.5 million annually. Yet even with these upgrades, Cameroonian authorities have long recognised that a truly modern gateway is needed to unlock the country's full economic and tourism potential.

Complementing the new-build vision, a separate renovation programme is already advancing. Cameroon has unveiled the final design for a significant upgrade of the existing Douala Airport, with work scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026 under a XAF 95 billion project that includes apron expansion, terminal upgrades and additional facilities to boost the airport's regional hub status. The dual-track approach, combining short-term modernisation with long-term greenfield ambition, reflects Cameroon's determination to position itself as a serious aviation player in Central Africa.

The involvement of A. Epstein and Sons International, a globally respected US engineering firm with deep experience in aviation infrastructure, adds credibility and technical weight to the proposed development. Integrated Trade Finance's participation, meanwhile, signals a structured financing model designed to bring the project to fruition without over-reliance on public balance sheets. For African policymakers watching from other capitals, the structure represents an interesting template for combining American technical expertise, private financing and African infrastructure ambition.

The timing is also noteworthy. Cameroon's government had previously indicated plans to launch feasibility studies for a new Douala airport, part of a wider push to modernise the country's transport backbone. The current discussions with A. Epstein and ITF suggest that those preparatory conversations are now maturing into concrete negotiations. Should the project advance as envisioned, construction could reshape the Littoral region's economic landscape while positioning Douala as a genuine competitor to established Central African gateways.

For sub-Saharan Africa's travel trade, the implications of a new Douala airport would be considerable. Cameroon sits at the heart of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), offering natural connectivity potential to Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and Chad. A modern, high-capacity airport would strengthen intra-regional connectivity, support growing MICE travel, expand cargo capabilities for agricultural and manufactured exports, and provide a compelling gateway for tourism development.

The move also complements broader private-sector initiatives to strengthen Central African aviation. Recent months have seen Cameroon's richest man commit close to \$900 million to launch a new airline, Danpullo Air Line, together with two privately owned airports, aimed at improving connectivity across Cameroon and the CEMAC region. Taken together, these initiatives suggest a market that is finally attracting the kind of ambitious capital and vision needed to overcome years of connectivity constraints.

Tour operators and consultants building itineraries into Central Africa should watch these developments closely. Cameroon offers a remarkable diversity of experiences, from the volcanic slopes of Mount Cameroon and the beaches of Kribi and Limbe to the wildlife of Waza and Korup National Parks and the rich cultural traditions of the Grassfields. A modernised aviation ecosystem could transform how easily African and international travellers access these experiences, creating fresh opportunities for multi-destination Central African itineraries.

Broader challenges of course remain. Large-scale airport projects across Africa are notoriously complex to deliver on time and within budget, requiring sustained political commitment, transparent procurement, robust environmental planning and disciplined project management. The Douala initiative will need to navigate these dimensions carefully to translate its bold vision into operational reality.

For now, the message from Cameroon is one of renewed ambition. As talks advance between the government, A. Epstein and Integrated Trade Finance, the African travel sector has yet another compelling story to follow, one that could reshape Central Africa's aviation map in the coming decade.