At confab in Ouagadougou: Douala port, Burkinabe transporters join forces to ease cargo movement.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the International Transport and Logistics Symposium, Translog Africa 2026, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. 

According to information published by PAD, the discussions centred on improving the efficiency, security and competitiveness of the Douala-Ouagadougou transport corridor.

The two parties agreed to entrust the Cameroon Road Transport Trade Union, GTTC, an association of road transport operators in Cameroon, with coordinating subsequent negotiations.

The negotiations will focus on harmonising customs procedures, securing the transport corridor and reducing the cost of moving goods between the two countries.

PAD said the discussions would also consider challenges faced by transport operators and the needs of businesses involved in cross-border trade. 

During the meeting, the port authority presented the facilities of the Douala-Bonabéri port complex and ongoing investments to modernise infrastructure and improve services for landlocked countries.

The discussions also explored opportunities to facilitate the transportation of several commodities from Douala to Burkina Faso. These include petroleum products, fertilisers, wheat and clinker, a material used in cement production. 

The proposed cooperation, it was said, could equally support the export of agricultural products from Burkina Faso, including cotton, sesame and shea products, through the port of Douala.

PAD indicated that its experience in handling goods destined for landlocked Central African countries could support the movement of these commodities. 

The port authority said representatives of the Burkinabe transporters welcomed the initiative, which seeks to strengthen trade and logistics cooperation between the two countries.

According to PAD, the meeting formed part of its participation in Translog Africa 2026, where the institution was also an official sponsor. 

The three-day symposium, held at the Ouaga 2000 Conference Centre, brought together approximately 150 transport and logistics experts from 15 countries. 

Participants examined ways to strengthen the security and resilience of transport and logistics chains amid changes in the global economic environment.

PAD Director General, Cyrus Ngo'o, also addressed participants during discussions on challenges facing Africa's transport and logistics sector. 

The fifth edition of the symposium was organised under the patronage of Burkina Faso's President, Ibrahim Traoré, represented by the President of the Transitional Legislative Assembly, Dr Ousmane Bougouma.

According to PAD, its participation forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with regional transport operators and expand the role of the Douala-Bonabéri port complex in facilitating trade between Central Africa and Sahelian countries.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3948 of Friday October 23, 2026