Cameroon is preparing to extend its digital freight platform, the Guichet d’affrètement des cargaisons (GAC), to cross-border routes with Nigeria, in a bid to formalise trade flows and improve transport efficiency.
The plan follows talks held on April 15, 2026, in Yola between the Cameroon Land Transporters Group (GTTC) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), where both sides explored integrating digital systems into regional haulage operations, according to Business in Cameroon.
Launched on April 2, 2026, in Douala by the Professional Transport Employers’ Association (PTP), the platform is already in use on domestic routes and key corridors linking Douala to N’Djamena and Bangui.
It provides a centralised system for managing consignment notes, allocating freight, improving traceability and reducing administrative delays.
Authorities now plan to deploy the system on shared trade routes including Yola–Garoua and Mubi–Mayo-Woulo in the north, alongside the Ekok–Mfum corridor in the southwest, anchored by the Cross River bridge.
Road transport dominates trade between the two countries, accounting for about 75% of freight movement. The targeted corridor alone handles around 13,000 trips and 320,000 tons of goods monthly, representing roughly 20% of exports.
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Trade between Cameroon and Nigeria continues to expand. Data from the National Institute of Statistics shows bilateral trade reached CFA41 billion in the third quarter of 2025, up 10% year-on-year, with the balance largely favouring Nigeria.
Of this, CFA40.4 billion consisted of Nigerian exports to Cameroon, while a significant portion of activity remains informal and unrecorded due to smuggling and cross-border trade outside official channels.
Goods commonly transported across the border include soap, cigars, cocoa, cement, spare parts and petroleum products, most of which rely on road networks.
Following the Yola meeting, both parties agreed to introduce an English-language version of the platform to support adoption among Nigerian operators. A formal agreement between NARTO and the transport employers’ association is expected in the coming days.
What this means for Africa
This move shows how digital systems are becoming essential for fixing long-standing inefficiencies in African trade. By bringing more structure and visibility to cross-border transport, platforms like GAC could help reduce delays, improve trust between operators, and make regional trade more predictable.
For governments, it offers a way to capture more accurate trade data and potentially reduce informal activity. For businesses, it could mean smoother logistics and better access to freight opportunities.
If successfully implemented, this kind of system could set a model for other African corridors where road transport dominates but remains fragmented and loosely regulated.
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Image Credit: ORA TV
