China pledges to finance 209 million Euro renovation of Provincial Stadiums (linked to Record ID#22818)

Project narrative

The governments of Cameroon and China signed a partnership accord on November 30, 2007 that provides for rehabilitation of existing stadiums in each of Cameroon's provincial headquarters. The project was projected to cost 209 million Euros. It would span for eight years, during which Cameroon was expected to pay back a loan to China. A Chinese company, China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation, will be executing the project under a Build-Operate-Transfer model. Minister Edjoa disclosed that his Ministry has drawn up an elaborate plan to provide sports infrastructure in all the provincial headquarters. According to the plan, proximity sports edifices would be erected in all Divisional headquarters in the country. In November 2009 an update provided that: 'Since last year, two stadiums of 15 000 seats- among which 200 seats in presidential boxes and 100 seats for handicapped persons- have been under construction'. This project forms phase 3 of a larger project involving the National Sports School (see linked Record ID#22818). Further information, including progress updates, are unknown. There is no evidence that an actual loan agreement was signed in the country's Development Assistance Database (DAD). In March 2010, it was reported that a contract had been signed for the Cameroon Sports Facility Development Project. CMEC is to construct 4 new stadiums--Yaounde (60,000 seats), Douala (30,000 seats), Limbe and Bafoussa (20,000 seats)--for the African Football Cup in 2012. As of May 2014, the Limbe and Bafoussa stadiums are still under construction. A new site for the Limbe Stadium was being tested for use in 2011 at Ngeme, Limbe II Sub Division.