Cameroon applies for $34.7m loan from IsDB to rebuild infrastructure in restive Anglophone region

Cameroon under the directives of President Paul Biya has lined up for a $34.7 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to finance the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the Anglophone Regions of Northwest and Southwest.

The plan estimated at around $3 billion encompasses three phases namely rehabilitation and development of basic infrastructure, economic revitalization and promotion of social cohesion.

Cameroon has been hit by a civil war since 2017 launched by separatists who have been demanding the independence of English-speaking side of the country. The rebels are denouncing years of discrimination by the country’s French-speaking majority.

The United Nations says the conflict has killed more than 3,500 people and displaced over 750,000.

The head of presidential plan, Paul Tasong, in July indicated that 18 months after scheme has been rolled out, dozens of health centers have been rehabilitated, 30 schools rebuilt, 2,400 fishermen and farmers received equipment, 120 startups have been funded in addition to 47 cooperatives.