Cameroon, 18 August 2025
Zhonglin International Construction Co. Ltd. has been given a significant infrastructure contract by the Cameroonian government through the World Bank-funded Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience in the Far North of Cameroon for Inclusiveness Project (P178207). The project, which is valued at XAF 33,749,376,809, intends to repair the Tchakamari-Kousseri (PK25-PK203) road corridor, which is a vital conduit for humanitarian aid and trade in the Far North. Following the award notification on August 18, 2025, the contract was formally signed.
Core Content:
The contract reference CM-CELLULE BAD/BM-1012-CW-RFB - was awarded through the Request for Bids (RFB) method and pertains to Lot 3 of the rehabilitation work, namely the corridor's Zigague (PK112.575) to Kabo 2 (PK166) segment. The project is a component of Cameroon's larger initiative to enhance road accessibility, resilience, and economic inclusion in one of the most strategically significant and vulnerable areas of the nation.Zhonglin International Construction will perform extensive civil works to restore and strengthen the road infrastructure during the 30-month contract, which is funded by a combination of IDA loans (IDA-73510, IDA-73520, and IDA-E2090). By linking remote communities to marketplaces, medical facilities, and educational institutions, this project promotes both climate resilience and regional integration.
Concerning the Selected Company:
With its main office in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and ownership connections to Hong Kong, China, Zhonglin International Construction Co. Ltd. has vast experience working on major civil engineering and construction projects throughout Africa. The company was chosen in large part due to its demonstrated technical prowess and adherence to global environmental and social standards.The beneficial ownership declaration (dated August 25, 2025) states that Mr. Gan Zhong Lin, a citizen of Hong Kong, has direct or indirect control over more than 25% of the company's shares and voting rights.
Rival and Turned Down Bidders:
Despite their participation in the process, a number of bidders were evaluated and found to be non-responsive. These comprised:-
JFA Construction (Nigeria) and GPT AA Hatlad Construction Nig Ltd
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Building Fidelity (Cameroon)
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Union Enterprise/GPT SammyA Nigeria Limited (Nigeria)
Due to their bids' failure to satisfy important compliance or responsiveness requirements outlined in the tender specifications, they were rejected.
Importance of the Initiative:
The Far North region, which is frequently plagued by inadequate road infrastructure and restricted access to basic services, will greatly benefit economically and humanitarianly from this rehabilitation project. When finished, the upgraded Zigague-Kabo 2 section will speed up travel, improve humanitarian logistics and emergency response, and increase trade between Cameroon and Chad.Particularly in flood-prone areas along the Logone and Chari river corridors, the project is in line with the government's national strategy to improve climate resilience and lessen regional disparities.
To sum up:
Zhonglin International Construction Co. Ltd. was awarded this XAF 33.7 billion contract, marking yet another significant advancement in Cameroon's northern transport infrastructure. The Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience in the Far North Project is anticipated to support local employment, foster inclusive growth throughout the region, and provide long-term socioeconomic benefits over the course of the next 30 months.
