Inauguration of the bridge over the Logone River: concrete progress for Chad, Cameroon, and regional integration in Central Africa, particularly benefiting the rural communities along the riverbanks
By Joseph Houmsou, journalist at Radio Terre Nouvelle, Bongor (Chad), for the JCAC Network
Yagoua/Bongor, April 28, 2025 – After five years of hard work, the new 620-meter bridge across the River Logone was officially inaugurated on Monday, April 28. This bridge now directly connects the localities of Bongor and Katoa (Chad) with Yagoua, Pouss, and Zébé Marao (Cameroon), marking a significant milestone in the region’s history. Beyond its technical features, this infrastructure symbolizes a powerful emblem of regional unity and integration in Central Africa, while also opening up concrete new prospects for the rural communities living along its banks.
A memorable day for local people
At dawn, hundreds of residents from the neighboring areas gathered along the banks to witness this historic event. By 10 a.m., in a festive and emotionally charged atmosphere, the Prime Ministers of Chad and Cameroon officially cut the inaugural ribbon, to enthusiastic applause from the crowd. "This bridge brings our peoples closer than ever before," exclaimed Amina Mahamat, a nurse from Bongor, while fishermen from Pouss expressed their joy at this infrastructure that secures their travel and trade.
A vital issue for safety and everyday life
Before the construction of the bridge,local residents faced the daily dangers of crossing the river by pirogue or ferry, especially during the seasonal floods. Fatimé Moussa, a rice farmer in Katoa, says: "Every rainy season was a source of anxiety for our families.Now, crossing the Logone takes just a few minutes, allowing people to go about their business in complete safety and peace of mind, all year round.
A catalyst for local economic development
The immediate economic impact of this infrastructure is already being felt. Hypolite Ngono, a cassava farmer in Bongor, explains: "I can now deliver my crops to Yagoua in record time, which means I can increase my income.The craftsmen of Zébé Marao, for their part hope to see their activities flourish thanks to easier access to regional markets, thereby encouraging the emergence of new opportunities. A strategic lever for sub-regional integration. Located at the heart of the Douala-N'Djamena corridor, the Logone Bridge is a crucial step in strengthening economic connectivity between the port of Douala in Cameroon and the Chadian capital. This project, a remarkable collaboration between Chad, Cameroon, the African Development Bank, and the European Union, aims to boost trade exchanges and reinforce the region's economic unity. It enables a continuous flow of goods and people over more than 1,200 km, thereby stimulating sustainable development in Central Africa.