For years, it was the “missing link.” Kribi had the port, the highways, and the hotels, but its airport remained a sleepy, underutilized strip suitable only for small propeller planes. That changes this year.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement in late 2025, the rehabilitation of the Kribi Airport is set to be one of the headline infrastructure projects of 2026.
The Plan
The government, via the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), has finalized the technical studies. The objective is not just a facelift, but a functional upgrade to handle medium-haul jets (like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320).
Key upgrades expected to start this year include:
- Runway Extension: Lengthening and reinforcing the tarmac to accommodate heavier aircraft.
- Terminal Modernization: Upgrading the passenger hall to international safety and comfort standards, crucial for business travelers and tourists.
- Navigational Aids: Installing modern lighting and instrument landing systems for night operations.
Business & Tourism Synergy
The push for the airport is driven by the corporate sector. Investors flying in for the Deep Sea Port or the new Refinery currently have to land in Douala and endure a 3-hour drive. A functional airport in Kribi changes the calculus for multinational executives.
“Time is money,” says a representative from a major logistics firm operating in the industrial zone. “If we can fly engineers and executives directly to Kribi, it accelerates decision-making.”
Tourism operators are equally thrilled. Direct flights from regional hubs could open Kribi’s beaches to weekend tourists from Nigeria, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea, filling the resorts that line the coast. The horizon for 2026 looks busy, both on the sea and in the sky.