Infrastructure

The condition of roads in the South-West Province represents the main infrastructure challenge to MACEFCOOP, particularly during the August to December rainy season when they can become impassable. Collapse of small bridges in a regular occurrence. The holes can be deep enough to swallow vehicles on occasion.

The problems are particularly acute for cocoa transport as the road conditions are worst when the cocoa must be transported to Douala to fulfil orders after post-harvest processing. The cocoa cannot be sold (FOB) until it reaches Douala.

Telecommunications, water supply, electricity and other infrastructure issues also affect MACEFCOOP. As an expanding business, the ability to communicate with buyers, Sections and others is crucial. The telephone communications system has been extremely limited, but private mobile telephone networks are now delivering means of overcoming some of these problems.

	...availability of rural roads on maps is not the same as usability of these roads since they are so poorly maintained in much of the South West Province for example that they are more of a public danger than a public good, particularly during the rainy seasons. AGRICULTURAL EXPANSION FOR POVERTY ERADICATION IN AFRICA, 2004

Above and below: Road between Mamfé and Douala

The 1 km-long, 50 year old Wouri road and rail bridge in Douala, which carries nearly half of Cameroon's exports to ships waiting at the quayside on the south bank of the river, is undergoing a major refurbishment after becoming dangerously weak and overburdened.