Cyrus Ngo’o, Director General of the Autonomous Port of Douala (PAD), has turned one of Cameroon’s most critical trade gateways from an institution in crisis into a model of modernization, transparency, and strategic collaboration.
Appointed by presidential decree on August 24, 2016, Ngo’o inherited a port plagued by congestion, administrative delays, and a challenging internal climate.
At 50, the civil administrator, who had previously served on the PAD board, quickly initiated what he described as a “new dynamic,” emphasizing transparency, education, and a decisive break from the status quo.
By 2017, he launched sweeping reforms, creating autonomous authorities responsible for container management, dredging, towing, and real estate. These reforms marked a historic shift in national control over strategic port operations.
The results were swift: container terminals reinvested profits to improve performance, and the dredging authority cleared twenty-five wrecks that had obstructed navigation for decades.
Under Ngo’o’s leadership, ship waiting times have decreased, costs have fallen, and the port’s reputation for efficiency has strengthened. Between 2020 and 2024, over 44 billion CFA francs were invested in modern cranes, gantries, and port tractors, giving dockworkers equipment that meets international standards.
Digitalization has followed, with BIM modeling, dematerialized procedures, and improved information flow streamlining operations.
Beyond infrastructure, Ngo’o has instilled a culture of transparency, accountability, and openness.
Major ongoing projects include the rehabilitation of the oil mooring, a new multipurpose timber dock, a 280 billion CFA franc mixed bulk terminal, and an expansion of the container terminal aiming for one million TEUs by 2030.
In Dibamba, a 517-hectare industrial and port zone is being developed with ARISE to reduce congestion in Douala and establish an integrated logistics platform.
A native of Messamena in Haut-Nyong, 59-year-old Ngo’o brings extensive experience as a civil servant and former technical advisor to the Prime Minister, having coordinated major state projects across energy, mining, public works, water, and telecommunications.
His leadership at the PAD reflects a strategic vision, balancing modernization with national economic development, and positioning the port as a critical engine for Cameroon’s growth.
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