AIR TRANSPORT : Airports of Cameroon targets 3.9% revenue growth in 2026

(LVDE) — Gathered around the presentation of the 2026 action plan and budget, executives of Airports of Cameroon unveiled an ambitious roadmap : modernizing infrastructure, strengthening service quality, and increasing revenues. The state-owned company is projecting total revenue of more than CFAF 40 billion, against a backdrop of gradual traffic recovery and the prospect of opening up to the regional financial market.

In Douala, on January 7, the atmosphere was focused in the room hosting the official presentation of Airports of Cameroon’s 2026 action plan and budget. Approved in advance at the 139th meeting of the Board of Directors held on December 19, 2025 in Kribi, these strategic documents reflect the state-owned company’s determination to scale up its operations. Before executives and partners, senior management emphasized the need for more rigorous management based on budget discipline, expenditure control, and a stronger culture of accountability.

On the ground, the strategy is first and foremost based on tangible improvements to airport platforms. For 2026, ADC intends to advance the certification of the international airports of Douala and Yaoundé-Nsimalen in order to better meet international civil aviation standards. In Maroua-Salak, bringing runway surroundings into compliance is among the priorities to strengthen operational safety. In Douala, the renovation of the passenger terminal, announced under the RAP-AID project, is expected to mark a key milestone in the modernization of the country’s main air gateway. Other projects are also planned, notably in Garoua, where improving internet connectivity in the VIP lounge and updating technical studies on airfield pavements demonstrate attention to operational details.

These investments are not merely about aesthetics or comfort. They aim to restore the competitiveness of Cameroon’s airport platforms, reassure airlines, and offer passengers a smoother experience. In the background, ADC is also seeking to better commercially leverage its infrastructure in a regional environment where competition between airport hubs is intensifying.

From a financial standpoint, the projections reflect cautious optimism. The company is forecasting total revenue of around CFAF 40.59 billion in 2026, compared with CFAF 39.05 billion the previous year—an increase of 3.9%. This growth would be driven by the recovery in traffic, the expansion of service offerings, and the optimization of charges. The objective is clear: to strengthen self-financing capacity, support ongoing investments, and take a further step toward a stock market listing. The expected approval from COSUMAF thus appears, in this context, as a strategic milestone.

Caught between budgetary constraints and modernization ambitions, Airports of Cameroon is moving forward along a fine line. The year 2026 is shaping up as a real-life test of the company’s ability to turn plans into tangible results, in the service of mobility and the country’s international profile. Esther Grace