Construction of the Kribi Industrial Port Complex, a 260 km2 industrial and residential city is underway near Kribi, a coastal town in south western Cameroon. The project will provide a deep sea port, an extensive industrial zone for heavy, medium and light industry and a modern residential city to house up to 300,000 people. The development is to start with the production and export of minerals, energy and petrochemicals. The development of medium and light industry is to bring more jobs and added value.
The spatial master plan, zoning plan and management strategy were presented to the main stakeholders at national and international level at a congress in April 2012 in Yaoundé. The first phase of the port was ready for use in 2015. Several major companies and investors declared an interest and are actively involved in the planning. The project is seen as a key step in creating wealth and sustainability in Cameroon.
The plan also envisages regional investments in tourism and preserving natural marine and terrestrial environments. Sustainable development is at the heart of the master plan, but realizing these ambitions will require a lot of attention and profesional organistions managing the zone.
– The development of the zone depends on collective efforts of many governmental organisations. Moving forward fast and creating favorable conditions for private investors is not an easy task.
– The development is to start with huge foreign private sector investments. These investment decisions take time and depend on factors as world market prices for natural resources and availability of skilled human resources. Gaining the trust of these multi-nationals is an important task.
– Industrializing Cameroons economy is the main task of the industrial port city. However, the new town that is being constructed is also meant to become a showcase of a modern liveable city in Cameroon.
– Bart Brorens, Royal HaskoningDHV, Cameroon