From July 15 to 17, 2026, the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) distributed compensation funds to populations affected by the Bertoua Airport expansion project in the conference hall of the Senior Divisional Office (préfecture) in Bertoua. In total, XAF 491,338,884 was distributed to 340 beneficiaries in accordance with Decree No. 2024/02597/PM of July 1, 2024, marking a decisive milestone in securing the airport's designated land.

This operation follows the asset valuation exercise conducted in 2022 and the physical security operations carried out in 2025. Following an awareness campaign launched on July 13, beneficiaries turned out in large numbers to collect their compensation. On the ground, the payment process was designed to be straightforward: it began with identity verification and document authentication, after which rightful claimants signed out funds, or it was disbursed via check or cash, depending on the amount.

The operation took place under the supervision of the Governor of the East Region and the coordination of Dr. Nkweti Simon Doh, Senior Divisional Officer (Préfet) for the Lom-and-Djerem Division, who led a multi-party administrative commission deployed to the field with law enforcement support. The commission comprised members appointed by the Senior Divisional Officer, a representative from the Ministry of Mindcaf (State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure), CCAA teams, and the Ministry of Finance Accounting Agent assigned to the CCAA, who ensured transparency and the smooth execution of the process.

The Senior Divisional Officer urged beneficiaries to exercise financial responsibility and refrain from resettling within the airport perimeter. Residents expressed support for the project: "This money will enable us to relocate away from the hazard zone. We agree to leave because we understand that expanding this airport will bring development," noted one affected resident.

This expansion forms part of the national program to modernize airport infrastructure, which also includes the secondary platforms in Tiko and Kribi.

Ultimately, this initiative will enhance connectivity between the East Region and the country's primary economic hubs while boosting local development through increased mobility for investors, business operators, and tourists. To this end, the airport's site has expanded from an initial 180 hectares to 729 hectares to date.

Following this compensation phase, beneficiaries now have a statutory deadline of three months under current emergency expropriation procedures to vacate the occupied land before eviction operations scheduled for the coming months.

Sandrine ZOBO / Public Relations Unit

Translation: MKG/ARO-PRU

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