The Yaoundé City Council, in collaboration with key urban mobility stakeholders, officially launched the preparatory phase of the Bus Rapid Transit project, dubbed "TransYaounde," on September 23, 2026. The project aims to address the capital's rapid demographic growth and severe traffic congestion. Chaired by the City Mayor of Yaoundé, Luc Messi Atangana, the ceremony brought together approximately 130 participants, including sectoral ministry representatives, municipal mayors, law enforcement officers, utility concessionaires, civil society groups, transport trade unions, and international development partners.
The initiative marks a major milestone in operationalizing Yaoundé's Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, initiated in 2018. With Yaoundé's population approaching five million inhabitants and growing at an estimated 4% annually, projections warn that travel times could increase by 44% by 2035 without structural interventions. The plan aims to provide a comprehensive solution to the city's mobility challenges. The Bus Rapid Transit system will provide a dedicated 22-kilometer North-South mass transit corridor, connecting Olembé to Ahala 2 via Independence Square and the Central Post Office Roundabout.
The TransYaounde project is designed to deploy 52 buses initially, operating at frequencies of 3 to 4 minutes, and maintaining a commercial speed of 20 km/h. The system will have 28 stations in each direction and is expected to carry 43,000 passengers per day during its initial phase. With long-term capacity potential reaching 110,000 daily passengers as frequency increases to 1.5-minute intervals. The project is co-financed with support from the European Union and the French Development Agency.
Mayor Luc Messi Atangana emphasized that while preliminary feasibility studies concluded in 2023, the current phase focuses on Complementary Preliminary Design Studies, launched on August 1, 2026. The Project Owner Support is provided by the consultant firm, DVDH, since January 2026. The mayor stated that this phase allows for the involvement of all stakeholders and beneficiaries, ensuring a shared transport system for everyone.
The launch of the preparatory phase for the TransYaoundé Bus Rapid Transit project marks a critical milestone in building widespread support among key urban mobility actors. Alioum Thiam, head of the AMOBRT mission, highlighted the essential role of civic engagement in major infrastructure initiatives. He welcomed the city's proactive approach to bringing all stakeholders together, noting that public ownership is essential to successfully navigating the complex studies, land acquisitions, and temporary traffic disruptions associated with constructing a modern transit system.
Commercial transport unions expressed strong alignment with the city council's vision, viewing the BRT network as a transformative step for the capital's mobility landscape. Representing the sector, Prosper Essomba, representative of transporters unions, expressed firm backing for Mayor Luc Messi Atangana's initiative. The trade unions have resolved to actively support the project through its completion, commending the local administration for including operators right from the onset.
The project is undergoing comprehensive technical, environmental, and institutional maturation, with construction slated to start in 2028, leading toward target commissioning by 2030. The TransYaounde project aims to reverse the trend of increasing travel times and provide a modern, efficient, and sustainable transportation system for the people of Yaoundé.
Key points
- The Yaoundé City Council has launched the preparatory phase of the Bus Rapid Transit project, aiming to transform urban transit with a 22-km line from Olembé to Ahala by 2030.
- The project is designed to carry 43,000 passengers per day during its initial phase, with long-term capacity potential reaching 110,000 daily passengers.
- The project is co-financed with support from the European Union and the French Development Agency, with construction slated to start in 2028.
