The capital city of Cameroon, Yaounde, is experiencing a transformation, fueled by several projects funded by China. These initiatives are revitalizing various aspects of life in Yaounde, from reducing travel times and improving access to water, to supporting sports, healthcare, and infrastructure. Each project demonstrates China’s ongoing commitment to fostering development in Cameroon and has led to notable improvements for the citizens of this Central African nation.
PARLIAMENT BUILDING
In 2017, a fire partially damaged Cameroon’s parliament building, leading to the need for a new parliamentary complex. With funds from China, the reconstruction project began in 2019 under the direction of the Beijing Urban Construction Group. The project includes a 400-seat hemicycle and a 14-story building, which will provide an impressive and functional space for the nation’s lawmakers.
Deputy Speaker of Cameroon’s National Assembly, Theodore Datouo, commended the progress, noting that the building is “almost completed” and that “our Chinese partners are really committed to respecting deadlines.” For House Speaker Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, the new structure is not only a functional addition but also a symbol of Cameroon’s evolving identity and development in collaboration with China.
WATER PLANT
Water scarcity has long been a pressing issue in Yaounde. With a population of around 4 million, the city has been struggling to meet its water demand. The Ministry of Water and Energy reports that Yaounde’s daily water supply currently sits at 185,000 cubic meters, which falls short of the estimated demand of 250,000 cubic meters. Residents often face long lines to access clean water, a daily inconvenience that affects the quality of life.
However, a recent development offers hope for a sustainable solution. On August 20, the Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, inaugurated a major water plant funded by China to address this pressing issue. Built by the China Machinery Engineering Corporation, the plant has a daily water treatment capacity of 300,000 cubic meters—enough to supply over 2.5 million residents in Yaounde and nearby areas. Essomba, expressing optimism at the opening, stated, “Supply will now be largely above demand. We project that the water plant will continue to satisfy the needs of the population till 2040.”
With this new water infrastructure, residents are now able to enjoy clean water regularly, vastly improving daily life. Essomba acknowledged China as a longstanding partner in supporting Cameroon’s development, saying, “China has always been a good partner and friend of Cameroon.”
HEALTH FACILITY
Another significant China-funded project is the Yaounde Gyneco-Obstetrics and Pediatric Hospital, which has served as a vital healthcare institution since its opening in 2002. The hospital specializes in gynecology, obstetrics, and pediatrics, offering high-quality services to Cameroonian women and children. This facility has become a cornerstone for maternal and child health in the country, providing critical services in a context where the healthcare sector is often under-resourced.
“Chinese medical teams constantly work at the hospital,” explained Eunice Nchang, a staff member at the hospital. “They share their expertise for the well-being of many Cameroonians.” Nchang highlighted that this cooperation has made a substantial difference in addressing the shortage of qualified personnel and essential medical equipment.
The hospital’s director-general, Robinson Mbu Enow, lauded the partnership, describing it as “very good,” noting that the ongoing support from China has strengthened the hospital’s ability to deliver quality care to the community.
EXPRESSWAY
In an effort to ease congestion and boost economic activities, the Yaounde government also planned a new expressway to link the city with Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport. The contract for this ambitious project, now known as the Yaounde-Nsimalen Expressway, was awarded to China Communications Construction Company. Though not yet fully completed, parts of the expressway have already opened, significantly reducing travel time from 45 minutes to just 15 minutes.
“The expressway is magnificent. It has completely changed our lives here,” said Jean-Claude Atangana, a resident of Ahala, a neighbourhood along the expressway. Atangana observed how the new road has led to rapid development in the area, with new businesses and real estate projects springing up.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development Celestine Ketcha Courtes praised the quality of the construction, seeing it as a symbol of the strong bond between Cameroon and China. Economist Johnson Molua noted that the expressway has “significantly” enhanced economic activities throughout Yaounde, especially in administrative communes like Yaounde III, Yaounde IV, Mfou, and Bikok. Molua also emphasized the importance of the expressway for local businesses, as the shorter commute between the city center and the airport has created a more favorable business environment.
SPORTS COMPLEX
At the heart of Yaounde stands the Yaounde Multipurpose Sports Complex, an indoor sports arena inaugurated in 2009 with substantial assistance from China. The complex has quickly become an iconic structure, symbolizing the longstanding partnership between China and Cameroon.
“The complex is a wonderful gift from the Chinese people, and our technical team will, as always, endeavor to do a good job in maintaining the project and in the training of personnel,” said Cai Zhenhua, the head of the technical support team from China’s Shanxi Construction Investment Group.
With a seating capacity of over 5,000, the arena has hosted numerous international competitions, including the African Women’s Handball Cup of Nations and the African Nations Volleyball Championship. This November, the sports complex is set to host the African Open 2024, a judo competition organized by the International Judo Federation. Henri Mbappe Dibongue, general manager of the complex, proudly shared, “In a word, the sports complex is called the ‘temple of sports and culture’ because we host all types of events.”
For local athletes, the presence of such high-quality infrastructure has opened doors to global sports platforms. Alain Christian Kingue, the national coach of the Cameroon Judo Federation, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “Thanks to the infrastructure, we could have this type of competition in Cameroon.” He also emphasized the trust shown by the African Judo Union in choosing Cameroon to host significant events, a recognition of the country’s growing status in the world of sports. Kingue attributes this to the strong relationship with China, noting that it allows Cameroonian athletes to play at “high-level” standards.
The economic and social impacts of these projects are visible throughout Yaounde. Economist Molua pointed out that these China-funded initiatives have created jobs, provided training, and enabled skill transfers to local workers, allowing Cameroonians to gain technical know-how and expertise. “These Chinese projects have not only created employment opportunities for residents of Yaounde, but essentially, there has been a transfer of skills and technology,” Molua observed. He sees this skill transfer as one of the enduring benefits of the partnership between Cameroon and China.
The collaboration with China continues to bring essential infrastructure to Yaounde, addressing critical needs across sectors. In addition to the existing projects, China has contributed to building dams, hospitals, roads, and sports facilities throughout the country, shaping Cameroon’s path toward modernization.
As these initiatives demonstrate, China has become a crucial partner in Yaounde’s development. Through tangible contributions to sports, healthcare, infrastructure, and more, this partnership is transforming Cameroon’s capital, improving quality of life, and laying the groundwork for future growth.
