AD Ports Group has joined Africa Ports Development (APD) in a 30-year concession to design, build, and operate a new dry bulk terminal at the Port of Douala, Cameroon’s principal maritime gateway.
Under the agreement, AD Ports Group, together with two other UAE investors, will hold a 60 percent stake in the operating company, while Africa Ports Development retains 40 percent, giving AD Ports Group an effective economic interest of 51 percent.
Terminal design and capacity
Phase 1 of the terminal will include two berths and roughly 450 meters of quay wall, with an annual handling capacity of around 4 million tonnes of dry bulk cargo, including clinker, gypsum, fertilizer, and grain.
Construction is scheduled between 2026 and 2028, in close collaboration with the Port Authority of Douala, to meet rising demand in Cameroon’s maritime sector.
The AD Port’s share of investment in Phase 1 of the terminal is expected to be approximately $87 million (AED 320 million).
Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali Regional CEO AD Ports Group
“This agreement represents a strategically important expansion of AD Ports Group’s presence in Africa and reinforces our commitment to developing high-impact maritime infrastructure in high-growth markets, in line with the vision of our wise leadership. The Douala dry bulk terminal will enhance trade resilience, support industrial development, and strengthen Cameroon’s role as a gateway to Central Africa. Through our partnership with Africa Ports Development, we are combining local market expertise with AD Ports Group’s global capabilities in port development and operations to support the Port Authority of Douala’s plans to modernize and enhance the port, enabling regional trade and long-term economic growth. We commend the Port Authority for the progress achieved recently, which has driven strong growth in Cameroon’s maritime sector, and we look forward to contributing further to its long-term development ambitions.”
Marc Tabchy, Managing Partner of Africa Ports Development, stated that, “We are honored to bring this partnership to life with AD Ports Group, a global reference that shares our firm belief in this project, in Cameroon, and in the potential of the African continent. Building on the Port Authority of Douala’s modernization initiatives, this collaboration creates a strategic synergy, combining our group’s regional depth with AD Ports Group’s operational excellence.”
The Port of Douala, the largest maritime port in Cameroon, handles the majority of the country’s bulk imports and serves as a critical transit hub for landlocked Central African markets.
The dry bulk terminal will strengthen regional supply chains, enhance the efficiency of key cargo flows, and benefit from robust hinterland connectivity linking Douala with major industrial centers and regional trade corridors.
The new facility is expected to create up to 4,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, supporting workforce development and long-term economic growth in Cameroon.
