The European Union has pledged €91 million ($96 million) in loans to Cameroon over the next three years to support critical infrastructure development and attract foreign investment. The announcement was made during a meeting between Cameroonian government officials and an EU representative in the country’s capital, Yaoundé.

Cameroon’s Minister of the Economy, Alamine Ousmane Mey, detailed the projects to be funded by the loan, emphasizing plans to enhance the energy sector, improve road infrastructure, and develop a railway network linking Cameroon with its landlocked neighbor, Chad. Additionally, the loan will support the construction of a bridge over the Ntem River to strengthen trade and connectivity between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

“This investment is crucial for revitalizing our infrastructure and driving economic growth,” Minister Mey told reporters.

Cameroon has faced significant challenges in maintaining its infrastructure, with roads, energy systems, and ports falling into disrepair in recent years. The country is also grappling with a separatist conflict in its western regions, which has claimed over 6,000 lives and displaced more than 760,000 people, according to the International Crisis Group.

The EU is already a major partner in Cameroon’s development efforts, funding projects such as a hydroelectric dam in central Cameroon and a bridge connecting Cameroon and Chad. The new loan is expected to build on these initiatives, aiming to improve regional connectivity and stimulate economic activity.

The EU’s continued support underscores its commitment to fostering development and stability in West Africa, despite the challenges posed by conflict and economic uncertainty. The projects financed by the loan are seen as vital to boosting Cameroon’s trade capacity and creating opportunities for foreign investment.