RENOVATION OF DOUALA AIRPORT : ADC Calls on AMPi’s Expertise

(LVDE) — Aéroports du Cameroun (ADC) is turning to the expertise of the French engineering firm AMPi to modernize and restructure the Douala airport platform. This partnership aims to transform the international airport through renovated and expanded infrastructure.

Douala, December 15, 2025. As part of a drive to upgrade airport infrastructure, Aéroports du Cameroun (ADC) has decided to partner with Aéroports de Marseille Provence Ingénierie (AMPi). This collaboration has been formalized for the renovation of Douala International Airport, a project that promises to redefine the standards of Cameroon’s airport platform.

AMPi, which has been supporting ADC for around five years as a technical consultant, is playing a central role in implementing this major project. The French engineer involved highlighted its participation on the evaluation panel reviewing bids for the design and execution of the works required to reorganize the passenger terminal. This expertise also extends to the selection of a consortium of companies, including architectural firms and technical design offices, tasked with carrying out the restructuring.

The project aims at a comprehensive modernization of the airport. Key improvements include the expansion of aeronautical surfaces, notably the construction of a new 36,000 m² aircraft parking apron on the western side of Pier B. The existing terminal will be transformed and new spaces created, bringing the total developed area to 20,000 m². The project also includes the addition of ten new check-in counters, the renovation of 80% of baggage carousels, and accessibility upgrades such as two elevators and three ramps for persons with reduced mobility.

With a total cost of CFAF 95 billion, this large-scale project will be financed through a loan from the French Development Agency (AFD), ADC’s own resources, and a contribution from the Cameroonian state. Virginie Dago, AFD’s Director in Cameroon, specified that the CFAF 38.3 billion loan does not require a sovereign guarantee but is backed by a Letter of Comfort from the Cameroonian government, which has committed to ensuring the project’s success, notably by covering taxes and customs duties.

ADC, which is borrowing to implement the project, has also enlisted the French firm Gibraltar Advisory to help structure the financing. Direct financing by AFD to contracted companies will help simplify financial flows, limiting the public company’s cash exposure. The loan has a maturity of 15 years, including a five-year grace period, with repayments set to begin on June 30, 2031.

The Douala Airport renovation program forms part of a broader initiative to strengthen the country’s airport infrastructure. Beyond simply modernizing facilities, the project reflects a forward-looking vision for the airport, transforming Douala into a regional logistics hub. The execution of the works will also generate jobs during and after construction, thereby stimulating the local and regional economy.

Through this ambitious initiative, ADC and AMPi are working in synergy to ensure that the new Douala Airport meets international standards and the growing expectations of travelers. This renewed momentum promises to revitalize air transport in Cameroon while positioning the airport as a strategic gateway to the continent.

Raphael Mforlem