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Mbalmayo

Mbalmayo is a city in Cameroon's Central Province inhabiting about 60,091 people as of 2012. It is the capital of the Nyong and So'o division. It is located at the banks of the Nyong River between Ebolowa and Yaoundé. It is an agricultural centre and plays an important function as the centre for education. The Mbalmayo National Forestry School can be found in this place.

Mbalmayo had existed since 1910 during the German rule of the then Kamerun. Mbalmayo was founded by Mbala Meyo, one of the first rulers of the town; as was the custom of chiefs who ruled large communities prior to colonialism. This trend of events could be seen in the other neighboring town and villages such as Akonolinga, Nanga Ebogo and Abong Bang, just to name a few.

The Germans had administrative control over the town and made use of the Nyong River for the transportation of timber which was a major source of income. Due to its economic potentials, the Germans had intended to establish an administrative headquarters there before the First World War. Another reason that can be cited is the attractive rock in the Nyong River with a protruded round end which could serve as a tourist attraction. Immediately after the war in 1919, when Germany ceded power to the Allied Forces, the project was never realized. The Town was handed to the French as French protectorate by the United Nations.

Mbalmayo is an industrial town that is about 41 km from Yaoundé the Capital of Cameroon. Mbalmayo is located in the Central Province of Cameroon. It is situated along the Nyong River, south of Yaoundé. Since it is deeply entrenched in the dens equatorial forest zone that stretched to the South of Cameroon, its natural physical environmental features makes it strategically and economically located. The main economic activities here are forestry, and agriculture. There is a plywood factory powered by electricity from the hydroelectric dam at Edea. It is also a commercial centre due to its position at the junction of three transport routes. It lies on the main road south of Yaoundé. It is at the southeastern terminus of the railway from Douala, and serves as a river port on the Nyong River, which is seasonally navigable for 155 miles (250 km) from Mbalmayo east to Abong Mbang. In order to improve and to increase its economic activities, the Government of Cameroon in 1989, through partnernship with the African Development Bank was able to construct a 101 km road that linked Mbalmayo and Ebolowa the capital of the South Province. Amongst its economic activities, Timber exploration is a major source of revenue for Mbalmayo and Cameroon in General. There is the Mbalmayo's forest reserve which is one of Cameroon's oldest forest reserves. Other cash crops include kennel oil, coffee and cocoa etc.

A good transport network is very critical for any real development to take place. Generally, most towns and villages in Cameroon are not easily accessible due to the poor transport network. Mbalmayo is however accessible by asphalt roads from Yaounde. By train, it is on the southern terminus of the railroad from Douala. The river Nyong is also commonly used as a means of transport by locals and fishermen. The river runs for 250 km from Mbalmayo to the east of Abongmbang. Understanding the role of transport in economic development, the Government of Cameroon in 1987, secured a loan worth UA 47.15 million from the African Development Bank to finance the construction of a dual carriage way between Mbalmayo and Ebolowa in the south. The project was completed in 1991 by the Firm Group COGEFAR Cameroon RAZEL F&es and works were supervised by BCEOM Cameroon/LABOGENIE. The project covered over 100 km of paved road.

The project has contributed significantly to opening up the southern province and made possible the development of agriculture and forest production in this project area. Since timber harvesting is the biggest contributor to the economy of the southern province, transportation of both humans and goods have been easy. Thanks to the improvement of travelling conditions and the lowering of transport costs. Women play a more important role in production and in the associative life of the region. The trade in food commodities between Cameroon and her neighbouring countries has intensified since the commissioning of the road. Nevertheless, the road’s contribution to increased regional integration will be significant only when the entire Yaounde-Libreville route, which has several sections in poor condition, had been developed.

Mbalmayo Mbalmayo on the Map
Mbalmayo Location on the Map