The Port Authority of Douala (PAD) has inked a historic agreement with INNOVENDI, a local networking and telecoms provider, to deploy a suite of 4G/5G-powered systems aimed at fully digitising Cameroon's busiest port.
The deal, formalised recently in the economic hub of Douala, is being hailed by PAD Director General Cyrus Ngo’o as “one of the most ambitious technological upgrades ever undertaken at the Douala-Bonaberi Port.”
Under the agreement, INNOVENDI and its partners will finance and deploy a hybrid 4G/5G network across the entire port platform, giving PAD high-speed, low-latency connectivity to support a new generation of digital tools.
In addition, INNOVENDI will deliver Internet of Things devices for real-time cargo tracking, automated equipment monitoring, predictive maintenance, and advanced data collection.
The project also features an edge-cloud architecture that will allow mission-critical information to be processed onsite, reducing response times and minimising reliance on external data centres.
Ngo’o said the transformation will enable PAD to operate as a fully digital smart port, integrating intelligent traffic flow systems, automated cargo management, enhanced access control, and next-generation surveillance tools.
The upgrade includes advanced cybersecurity protections designed to safeguard sensitive port infrastructure and ensure the integrity of operational data.
PAD expects the shift to dramatically cut vessel and cargo dwell times — long-standing bottlenecks that have weakened Douala’s competitiveness.
By reducing human error, boosting security, and streamlining workflows, officials say the digital ecosystem will significantly improve efficiency for shipping lines, freight forwarders, and port users.
The director general noted that the agreement is structured as a mutually beneficial financial model.
INNOVENDI will provide full upfront investment and pay PAD an entry fee, fixed and variable periodic fees, and other charges tied to port activity. The arrangement, he said, ensures PAD a sustainable revenue stream while opening the door to continuous technological upgrades.
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