Regional operators have long awaited this significant development. The Cameroon National Shippers’ Council (CNCC) has officially suspended, until further notice, the mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BESC) for goods traversing the vital Douala-N’Djamena and Douala-Bangui corridors. This pivotal decision, formalized in a communiqué issued on June 15, 2026, by Director General Auguste Mbappe Penda, impacts the entire logistics chain, including shippers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and transporters involved in the flow of goods destined for Chad and the Central African Republic via Cameroonian territory.

Introduced in 2006, the BESC was intended to enhance cargo traceability, provide objective transport cost data, and contribute to commercial flow statistics. However, its application to mere transit cargo had become a persistent point of contention for Chadian and Central African operators, who frequently criticized the accumulation of formalities and fees encountered on the route to the port of Douala.

A concession reached at the N’Djamena tripartite forum

The suspension of this cargo tracking note directly stems from the recommendations put forth during the 5th Chad-Cameroon-CAR tripartite forum, which convened in May 2026 in N’Djamena. This crucial gathering, focused on streamlining transit along the trans-Cameroonian axis, brought to light the various technical and administrative impediments hindering the smooth movement of goods from Douala towards N’Djamena and Bangui.

According to an official within the CNCC, these operational inefficiencies partly arise from the still-deficient interconnection between the information systems of the various CEMAC zone shippers’ councils. Paradoxically, a tool designed to simplify tracking had inadvertently complicated operations. The suspension thus addresses a dual requirement—both technical and political—pending the harmonization of regional IT platforms. Chadian and Central African authorities, who had advocated for several years for reduced procedures in Douala, view this decision as a positive step. It is important to note, however, that the measure does not affect traceability mechanisms managed by Cameroonian customs administration, which remain fully operational for transit cargo.

Safeguarding 410 billion FCFA in annual revenue

For Yaoundé, the stakes are far from symbolic. Cameroonian customs authorities estimate that the transit of Chadian and Central African goods generates over 410 billion FCFA in annual revenue. This substantial income is directly tied to the port of Douala, which serves as the primary maritime connection for the Sahelian and Central African hinterlands. Any decline in the corridor’s competitiveness risks a gradual diversion of these crucial trade flows away from Cameroon.

This risk is tangible. N’Djamena has, for several years, been exploring alternative logistical routes, notably through Nigeria’s port of Lagos or via corridors crossing Sudan. Similarly, Bangui regularly assesses the option of utilizing the Congolese corridor through Pointe-Noire. In this highly competitive environment, every procedure perceived as superfluous fuels discussions about diversifying access to the sea. The removal of the BESC for transit flows, in this regard, represents both a defensive maneuver and an act of facilitation.

Suspension alone may not be enough

While transporters and shippers across the sub-region commend this initiative, they widely believe that significant work remains. Persistent issues such as multiple controls along the Douala-N’Djamena axis, reported irregular practices at police and customs checkpoints, and prolonged port processing times continue to heavily burden logistics costs. Without addressing these structural irritants, the impact of the current measure will likely remain constrained.

For Cameroonian authorities, the immediate challenge lies in effectively balancing documentary simplification with administrative discipline. The modernization of information systems, enhanced inter-service coordination, and a reduction in redundant controls are all 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 is merely an initial step in a long-anticipated agenda of reforms by CEMAC operators, effective immediately and valid until further notice from the CNCC.