DOUALA-BONABÉRI PORT : CNPS and Innovendi Mobilize CFAF 87 Billion to Transform the Port into a Smart Port
La voix des entreprises 
(LVDE) — A new phase is unfolding in the modernization of Cameroon’s main maritime hub. The Caisse nationale de prévoyance sociale (CNPS) and Innovendi Data Technologies and Communication Ltd have reached a strategic agreement to finance the digital transformation of the Port of Douala-Bonabéri. Valued at CFAF 87 billion over a 25-year period, the project aims to deploy an intelligent port infrastructure integrating advanced technologies designed to improve logistics performance and the management of commercial flows.
The modernization process of the Port Autonome de Douala is entering a new stage following the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding between CNPS and Innovendi Data Technologies and Communication Ltd. The agreement, officially signed in Yaoundé on March 4, 2026, provides for the mobilization of an investment estimated at CFAF 87 billion over twenty-five years to transform the Port of Douala-Bonabéri into a smart port platform.
This technological project follows a BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) concession agreement signed on November 17, 2025 between the port authority and Innovendi. Under this contractual model, the operator is responsible for designing, operating and eventually transferring the digital infrastructure developed under the program. The initiative is intended to modernize logistical procedures and introduce automated systems capable of optimizing the management of cargo flows.
In practical terms, the Smart Port platform planned for the Douala-Bonabéri port complex will rely on several cutting-edge technologies. Artificial intelligence will make it possible to analyze the movement of ships and goods in real time, while the Internet of Things (IoT) will facilitate data collection through connected sensors installed across logistics zones. Advanced automated management tools are also expected to enhance coordination among the various port stakeholders, including freight forwarders, logistics operators and customs authorities.
CNPS’s participation represents a key milestone in structuring the project’s financing. As the institution responsible for managing the social security contributions of several million Cameroonian workers, it is increasingly involved in funding large-scale infrastructure projects considered strategic for the national economy. Its involvement strengthens the project’s financial credibility by providing the backing of a long-term institutional investor.
The Port of Douala-Bonabéri remains Cameroon’s main maritime gateway and a vital transit point for several Central African countries. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), more than 80% of global trade is transported by sea, making port infrastructure a critical factor in national economic competitiveness. In Cameroon, millions of tons of cargo transit through the Port of Douala every year, including goods destined for landlocked countries such as Chad and the Central African Republic.
In an environment marked by increasing competition among African port platforms, digitalization has become a major driver of efficiency and attractiveness. Ports that integrate advanced digital solutions generally succeed in reducing vessel turnaround times, improving operational transparency and streamlining cargo circulation.
The transformation of the Port of Douala into a Smart Port could therefore strengthen Cameroon’s position as a regional logistics hub. By combining technological investment with institutional partnerships, the initiative aims to build a modern, secure and efficient port ecosystem capable of meeting the growing demands of international trade while supporting the economic growth dynamics of Central Africa.
Esther Grace
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