Cameroon suspends electronic cargo tracking on douala transit corridors

An anticipated move by regional operators has materialized: the National Shippers’ Council of Cameroon (CNCC) has temporarily halted the mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BESC) for goods traversing the vital Douala-N’Djamena and Douala-Bangui corridors. The directive, formalized in a communiqué signed on June 15, 2026, by Director General Auguste Mbappe Penda, impacts the entire logistical ecosystem, including shippers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and transporters involved in consignments destined for Chad and the Central African Republic via Cameroonian territory.

Initially introduced in 2006, the BESC system aimed to enhance merchandise traceability, standardize transport costs, and provide essential commercial flow statistics. However, its application to simple transit cargo had become a persistent point of contention for Chadian and Central African operators. They frequently voiced concerns over the accumulation of formalities and associated fees encountered along the route to the port of Douala.

a key concession from the n’djamena tripartite forum

The suspension of this cargo tracking note directly stems from recommendations made during the 5th Chad-Cameroon-CAR tripartite forum, which convened in N’Djamena in May 2026. This significant gathering, dedicated to streamlining transit operations along the trans-Cameroonian axis, brought to light numerous technical and administrative bottlenecks impeding the smooth flow of goods from Douala towards N’Djamena and Bangui.

A CNCC executive, quoted in official communications, pointed to the still-deficient interconnection of information systems among CEMAC shippers’ councils as a root cause of the dysfunctions. Paradoxically, a tool designed for simplified monitoring ended up complicating operations. Consequently, the suspension addresses both technical and political imperatives, pending the crucial harmonization of regional IT platforms. While Chadian and Central African authorities, who have long advocated for reduced procedures in Douala, view this decision as a positive development, it’s important to note that Cameroonian customs’ own traceability mechanisms remain fully operational for transit cargo.

preserving 410 billion fcfa in annual revenue

For Yaoundé, the stakes extend far beyond mere symbolism. Cameroonian customs estimate that the transit of Chadian and Central African goods generates over 410 billion FCFA in annual revenue. This substantial income is intrinsically linked to the port of Douala, which serves as the primary maritime gateway for the landlocked Sahelian and Central African hinterlands. Any decline in the corridor’s competitiveness risks progressively diverting these crucial trade flows.

This risk is not merely theoretical. N’Djamena has actively explored alternative logistical routes for several years, including the Nigerian port of Lagos and corridors through Sudan. Similarly, Bangui regularly evaluates the option of the Congolese corridor via Pointe-Noire. In this highly competitive environment, every procedure perceived as superfluous fuels discussions about diversifying access to the sea. Therefore, lifting the BESC on transit flows represents both a defensive maneuver and a significant act of trade facilitation.

suspension alone may not suffice

While transporters and shippers across the sub-region commend the initiative, they emphasize that considerable work remains. Persistent challenges such as multiple controls along the Douala-N’Djamena axis, reported irregular practices at police and customs checkpoints, and enduring port processing delays continue to exert heavy pressure on logistics costs. Without addressing these structural irritants, the overall impact of the BESC suspension will likely remain limited.

The immediate challenge for Cameroonian authorities lies in effectively balancing documentary simplification with administrative discipline. Modernizing information systems, enhancing inter-service coordination, and reducing redundant controls are critical factors that will determine the trans-Cameroonian corridor’s ability to maintain its position as the preferred option for Chadian and Central African freight. The BESC suspension marks only the initial phase in a much-anticipated reform agenda for CEMAC operators. The measure is effective immediately and will remain valid until further notice from the CNCC.