The Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation, and National Meteorology, in collaboration with port stakeholders, is hosting the 5th edition of the tripartite forum between the Central African Republic, Chad, and Cameroon. This event focuses on streamlining cross-border trade via Cameroonian ports. The opening ceremony took place on Monday, May 11, 2026, in N’Djamena, led by the Chadian Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Fatima Goukouni Weddeye.

Scheduled for May 11–13, 2026, this forum serves as a pivotal platform for dialogue, fostering economic cooperation among the three nations. In his address, Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallé Bibéhè, commended the high-level commitment of all three countries. He highlighted the critical role of Cameroonian port infrastructure in supporting trade for both the Central African Republic and Chad, emphasizing the deep-rooted geographical and historical ties between these nations.

Key objectives and challenges addressed

The forum aims to tackle pressing logistics bottlenecks, particularly the congestion of over 2,300 Chadian containers stranded in Cameroonian ports. During the event, officials will explore strategies to accelerate transit processes, lower operational costs, and enhance regional economic integration.

Minister Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallé Bibéhè underscored the promising momentum generated by the collaboration, noting a recent case involving a detained Cameroonian driver in Chad. He called for a fraternal resolution to uphold mutual trust and solidarity in cross-border trade.

Strategic importance for landlocked nations

In her opening remarks, Fatima Goukouni Weddeye stressed the forum’s strategic significance for landlocked countries like Chad and the Central African Republic. She pointed out that the efficiency of Douala and Kribi corridors directly impacts market supply chains, cost control, and economic competitiveness in the region.

Over the three-day event, delegates from public and private sectors will exchange insights and propose actionable solutions to improve transit fluidity, reduce logistics expenses, and strengthen regional economic ties.