Cameroon Launches Kribi Port Industrial Zone, a Megaproject to Reshape Central Africa’s Industrial Landscape

By Tata Mbunwe

The Kribi Port Industrial Zone (KPIZ) was launched in Yaounde on February 26, 2026, with a total investment of €795 million (approximately 521 billion FCFA)—an ambitious initiative meant to position Cameroon as a future industrial hub for the Central African sub-region.

The project, which represents the largest industrial development linked to the Port of Kribi, aims to bring production units closer to port infrastructure in order to capture more added value locally.

The industrial zone will span 4,000 hectares, and is structured as a public-private partnership between the Autonomous Port of Kribi (PAK) and a consortium of international and local operators including Africa Global Logistics, Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP), and Belmont Investments, owned by Cameroonian businessman Colin Mukete.

A Decade of Maritime Excellence

The KPIZ is attached to the Port of Kribi (PAK), which has been functioning since 2018.

Official data reveals that over eight years of activity, the port has handled 3,422 ships, processed 93 million tons of goods, and managed 2,150,000 containers.

These achievements have positioned Kribi as Cameroon’s leading container terminal, with authorities noting its capacity to accommodate the world’s largest vessels.

The port’s contribution to public finances has been equally impressive, generating more than 1,200 billion francs CFA in customs revenue, according to official data.

This performance has created a ripple effect, attracting pioneering companies in processing, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. The resulting surge in demand for establishment has catalysed the development of the Kribi Industrial Port Zone as a flagship project under Cameroon’s National Development Strategy (SND30).

Strategic Clusters Driving Industrial Transformation

The industrial zone is organised around three main clusters designed to maximise synergies between port activities and industrial production.

The wood processing and logistics cluster will capitalise on Cameroon’s vast forestry resources, while steelmaking operations will be driven by the exploitation of iron ore deposits and exports via the dedicated mineral terminal.

The petrochemistry cluster will benefit from major structuring projects already underway, while the eastern section of the zone will host agribusiness and construction materials industries.

Investors are being attracted through tax and customs incentives, direct connection to the deep-water port, and world-class infrastructure.

Long-Term Economic Projections

The KPIZ project is being implemented in phases, with the first 15-year phase focused on establishing the three clusters and progressive job creation.

Upon completion in 2040, the industrial zone is expected to generate between 5 and 8 percent of national GDP, create up to 150,000 direct and indirect jobs, and contribute nearly one trillion francs CFA in annual tax revenue.