MUAYE HOTEL COMPLEX : PAD Entrusts the Project to Leilak Estates Corporation

(LVDE) – A partnership agreement for the construction of this infrastructure, valued at 160 billion FCFA, was signed on August 1, 2025, between Cyrus Ngo’o, Director General of the Autonomous Port of Douala (PAD), and David Leilak, CEO of the Cameroonian company Leilak Estates Corporation Sarl.

On August 1, 2025, a major milestone was reached in Douala’s infrastructure development with the signing of a partnership agreement between the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) and Leilak Estates Corporation. In the PAD’s conference hall at the heart of the Maritime Business Centre, officials sealed a deal for the construction of a 5-star hotel complex named “Hôtel Muayé,” meaning “Light” in the Duala language.

Covering an area of 11,000 m², the project will feature a futuristic 21-storey building. With a total cost estimated at 160 billion FCFA (around €244.3 million), it represents a real boon for the local economy, with the creation of approximately 650 direct and indirect jobs. The selected financing model is a public-private partnership (PPP) under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement, ensuring that the promoter will provide all the necessary funding without any guarantees from PAD or the Cameroonian government.

The agreement spans 28 years, including 6 months of studies, 30 months of construction, and 25 years of operation. The projected revenues are substantial: PAD will receive a fixed annual fee of 24,000 FCFA per m², amounting to around 264 million FCFA per year, along with a variable fee of 3% of turnover. Altogether, PAD’s projected earnings could reach approximately €55.9 million, or nearly 19.6% of total anticipated revenues.

Fiscal benefits for the Cameroonian state are also significant, with projected taxes and duties amounting to €86.7 million, equivalent to 30.4% of total revenues. Thus, total earnings for the state — including those received by PAD and from taxes — could reach €142 million, representing 50% of projected project revenues.

This hotel complex forms part of PAD’s 2020-2050 Master Development Plan, reflecting the Cameroonian authorities’ long-term vision to diversify the economy and strengthen the links between the city and the port. Presidential decree No. 2019/034 of 24 January 2019 granted PAD expanded prerogatives in managing its land assets inherited from the former National Ports Office of Cameroon. These new responsibilities aim to enable the development of high-value-added projects beyond traditional maritime activities.

Cyrus Ngo’o stressed the importance of this project in revitalizing the local economy and diversifying the port’s revenue streams. “This is a genuine opportunity for Douala to position itself as a leading destination for business travelers and tourists,” he said at the signing ceremony.

The Muayé hotel complex thus represents a collective ambition for Cameroon, aiming to improve tourism infrastructure and bolster the city’s appeal. By promoting the growth of luxury hospitality, the project could also stimulate further investments in tourism and service sectors, thereby contributing to more balanced and sustainable economic development in the region.

As the country pursues this path of modernization, Hôtel Muayé could become a symbol of Douala’s transformation — blending economic development with urban dynamism. The coming stages of the project, from study to construction, will be closely watched by local economic stakeholders and future investors alike.

Esther Graca