AGP Executive Report

Agriculture: New partnerships aim to modernise pig farming and mechanisation after pork output fell nearly 30% in 2025, to 27,914 tonnes. Power Links: Cameroon’s first phase of the Chad interconnector is now estimated at CFA145.2 billion, with 426 km of lines planned to support power exports by 2030. Shipping: Gulfcam named former Camship executive Bernard André Ndengue CEO to grow container services between Kribi and Douala; he takes office November 1. Energy Costs: Nachtigal’s 2027 electricity bills are projected at CFA196.16 billion, but the government’s eventual share remains unclear as budget reviewers seek details on the contract. Industrial Finance: Keda Cameroon pledged land, equipment and other assets as collateral for an IFC loan of up to $33.5 million for its ceramics business. Forestry: The Green Climate Fund approved a $29.7 million grant for Cameroon forest protection and restoration, bringing total project investment to $46 million. Business Climate: At the Cameroon Business Forum, the government promised reforms to simplify and digitise procedures and improve trade corridors.

Forest Finance: The Green Climate Fund approved a US$29.7 million grant for Cameroon’s permanent forests; with co-financing, the seven-year programme totals US$46 million and aims to protect and restore forests while supporting local livelihoods. Industrial Watch: SIC Cacaos’ bean purchases fell 14% in 2025–26, as cocoa processing across Cameroon dropped 13%; the company has named Blaise Kengne as CEO. Mining and Communities: Residents near Kribi say Keda Ceramics’ clay extraction left deep, water-filled pits and disrupted land, raising questions about consultation and site restoration. Business Climate: Cameroon and OHADA renewed efforts to formalise informal businesses and strengthen entrepreneurs’ legal protections. Food Production: Cameroon’s AgriConnect initiative, backed by the World Bank and IFAD, aims to boost farming, fisheries and rural jobs as the country seeks to cut food imports.

Cocoa Processing: Barry Callebaut has named Blaise Kengne to lead its Cameroon operations as SIC Cacaos’ bean purchases fell 14% to 40,012 tonnes in 2025–26. The processor remains the country’s largest, but total cocoa processing also declined. Manufacturing: Mineral-water producer SEMC’s first-half net profit plunged 84% to CFA105.7 million, despite sales slipping just 2.2%; the company cited costly bottling-line maintenance and lower production. Investment: Cameroon has opened talks with Bank of America-led investors on 2027 budget financing and development projects, including opportunities in agriculture, energy and mining. Energy: Tradex is expanding into the Democratic Republic of Congo with a US$2.1 million gas station in Kinshasa. Forests and Livelihoods: A Green Climate Fund-backed seven-year project will support conservation and restoration across three forest areas, while developing sustainable local value chains.

Cocoa Processing: Blaise Kengne takes charge of Barry Callebaut’s Cameroon operations as SIC Cacaos’ bean purchases fall 14% to 40,012 tonnes; processors’ combined volumes dropped 13%. Consumer Goods: Mineral-water producer SEMC’s first-half profit plunged 84% to CFA105.7 million, while sales slipped just 2.2%, as maintenance costs squeezed margins. Investment: Cameroon is discussing financing and investment opportunities with Bank of America-led investors, including in agriculture, energy and mining. Tradex has also opened its first DR Congo fuel station, a $2.1 million investment that launches its expansion there. Agriculture: Cameroon’s AgriConnect plan aims to expand farm, livestock and fisheries production, while a CFA1.12 trillion investment programme targets a 28% cut in food imports by 2030. Power Sector: Globeleq’s unpaid electricity bills in Cameroon rose 38% to CFA147 billion, adding pressure to a sector vital to industry.

Investment & Finance: Cameroon has opened talks with Bank of America-led investors on 2027 budget financing, public debt and projects in agriculture, energy, mining and industry. Fuel & Retail: State-owned Tradex has entered the DRC market with a $2.1 million Kinshasa station, its first step toward building a fuel-retail network there. KC Trade, meanwhile, is seeking supplier credit to import fuel, but no financing terms or agreement have been confirmed. Trade & Jobs: Cameroon and Nigeria are sharing customs practices to curb smuggling, improve revenue collection and strengthen border data exchange. Separately, a local solar company has powered more than 100 maternity wards while training and creating work for displaced young people. Agriculture & Processing: Cameroon’s AgriConnect compact, backed by the World Bank and IFAD, aims to boost farm output and rural jobs. The government also plans CFA1.12 trillion in agricultural investment to reduce food imports by 28% by 2030. Cameroon’s fish-processing industry contributes an estimated CFA573 billion to the economy and supports 180,000 jobs.

Clean Energy: Solar installations now power more than 100 maternity wards in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest, while training and employing displaced youths. Fuel Supply: KC Trade is seeking credit terms from BGN and Zyron Energy to import fuel without paying upfront; financing and repayment terms remain undisclosed. Business Costs: At the Cameroon Business Forum, employers warned that poor roads, power outages, limited credit and late government payments are undermining firms’ ability to compete under AfCFTA. Agriculture: Cameroon’s AgriConnect Compact, backed by IFAD and the World Bank, aims to boost agropastoral and fisheries production and rural jobs. The government is also targeting CFA1.12 trillion in agricultural investment to cut food imports by 28% by 2030. Industry and Finance: Fish processing contributes CFA573 billion to the economy and supports 180,000 jobs, while the AfDB has approved €40 million to help finance trade and local businesses. Power Sector: Globeleq’s unpaid electricity bills in Cameroon rose 38% to CFA147 billion, sharpening concerns over the sector’s finances.

Banana Exports: Fairtrade will raise Cameroon’s conventional banana minimum price from €8.55 to €8.90 per 18.14kg box at farm gate from January 2027; the FOB floor rises to €11.60. Agricultural Investment: Cameroon’s World Bank-backed AgriConnect plan targets CFA1.12 trillion in investment by 2030, aiming to cut food imports by 28% and lift annual maize output to 6 million tonnes. Business Competitiveness: At the Cameroon Business Forum, employers warned that poor roads, power outages, limited credit and late state payments are undermining firms’ ability to compete under AfCFTA. Power Sector: Globeleq reported that Eneo, now Socadel, owed it CFA147 billion at the end of 2025—up 38% in a year—with arrears forcing shutdowns at the Kribi and Dibamba plants. Blue Economy: Fish and seafood processing contributes an estimated CFA573 billion in value and supports about 180,000 jobs. Digital Infrastructure: The Yaoundé Declaration’s call to host all classified public data in Africa by 2030 could spur demand for local data centres and cloud services.

Banana Trade: Fairtrade’s 2027 minimum price for Cameroonian conventional bananas rises 4.1% Ex Works and 4.5% FOB from January 1, to €8.90 and €11.60 per 18.14kg box; the separate premium is unchanged. Business Costs: At the Cameroon Business Forum in Douala, employers warned that poor roads, power outages, limited credit and late government payments are weakening firms’ ability to compete under AfCFTA. Agri-Investment: Cameroon’s new AgriConnect Compact aims to mobilise CFA1.12 trillion by 2030 across eight value chains, cut food imports by 28% and lift annual maize production to six million tonnes. Power Sector: Globeleq says unpaid bills from Eneo, now Socadel, rose 38% to CFA147 billion at end-2025; the arrears have forced some units at the Kribi and Dibamba plants to shut down. Seafood Processing: Fish processing adds an estimated CFA573 billion in value and supports about 180,000 jobs, according to a UN Economic Commission for Africa report.

Business Competitiveness: At the Cameroon Business Forum in Douala, employers warned that poor roads, power outages, limited credit and late government payments are driving up costs and weakening firms’ ability to compete under AfCFTA. Agriculture: Cameroon and the World Bank launched AgriConnect, aiming to mobilise CFAF1.12 trillion by 2030, cut food imports by 28% and raise annual maize output to 6 million tonnes. Power Sector: Globeleq says unpaid bills from electricity distributor Socadel reached CFA146.9 billion at the end of 2025, up 38% in a year; the arrears have forced shutdowns at some generating units. Food Processing: Fish and seafood processing contributes an estimated CFA573.4 billion in value added and supports about 180,000 jobs, according to a UN report. Business Finance: The AfDB approved a €40 million facility for AFG Bank Cameroon to finance trade and local businesses.

Agrifood Investment: Cameroon and its partners launched the AgriConnect Compact, targeting CFA1.12 trillion in investment by 2030 across eight value chains. The plan aims to cut food imports by 28%, raise maize output to 6 million tonnes and expand jobs. Business Competitiveness: At the revived Cameroon Business Forum in Douala, employers warned that poor roads, power outages, limited credit and delayed government payments are driving up costs and weakening firms’ ability to compete under AfCFTA. Power Sector: Globeleq says unpaid bills from Eneo, now Socadel, reached CFA146.9 billion at end-2025, up 38%; CFA105.8 billion was overdue by more than 90 days, and arrears have forced some generating units offline. Industrial Trade: Cameroon is encouraging manufacturers and equipment suppliers to seek partnerships at Tunisia’s SAPRI 2026 trade show, while an AfDB facility of €40 million for AFG Bank Cameroon is set to support trade and local businesses. Blue Economy: Fish processing contributes an estimated CFA573 billion to Cameroon’s economy and supports about 180,000 jobs, underscoring the potential of local value-added production.

Business Competitiveness: At the Cameroon Business Forum in Douala, employers warned that poor roads, power outages, limited credit and late government payments are driving up production costs and undermining firms’ ability to compete under AfCFTA. Agriculture: Cameroon’s new AgriConnect Compact aims to mobilise CFA1.12 trillion by 2030 across eight value chains, raise maize output to 6 million tonnes and cut food imports by 28%. Energy: Globeleq says unpaid bills from electricity distributor Socadel climbed 38% to CFA147 billion in 2025; arrears have forced shutdowns at the Kribi and Dibamba plants. Blue Economy: Fish and seafood processing contributes an estimated CFA573 billion in value added and supports about 180,000 jobs, according to a UN report. Industrial Trade: Cameroon is urging manufacturers and equipment suppliers to seek partners at a Tunisia trade fair in November, which will showcase machinery, maintenance, energy and industrial technologies.

Agriculture: Cameroon launched the AgriConnect Compact with a CFA1.12 trillion investment target for eight value chains, aiming to cut food imports by 28% by 2030. The plan targets 6 million tonnes of maize a year. Power: Globeleq says unpaid bills from electricity distributor Socadel reached CFA147 billion at end-2025, up 38%; more than CFA105 billion was overdue by over 90 days, forcing some generating units offline. Blue Economy: Fish and seafood processing adds CFA573 billion to the economy and supports about 180,000 jobs, according to a new UN report. Industry and Trade: Socfinaf cut asset acquisitions in Cameroon by 22% in 2025, though the country remained its largest African investment destination. Cameroon also invited manufacturers to source equipment and services at Tunisia’s SAPRI trade fair. Business Finance: AfDB approved a CFA26.2 billion facility for AFG Bank Cameroon to support trade and local businesses. Yaoundé’s call for domestic hosting of critical government data by 2030 could also create opportunities for local data-centre and cloud providers.

Agriculture: Cameroon’s AgriConnect pact brings government, the World Bank and IFAD together to attract CFA1.12 trillion for eight value chains by 2030. It targets a 28% cut in food imports, more local processing and rural jobs. Business Finance: The African Development Bank approved a €40 million facility for AFG Bank Cameroon to expand trade lending, with half the credit line reserved for SMEs. Cocoa: Douala exporters held farmgate purchase prices at CFA2,700–2,800/kg despite a 4.2% fall in export reference prices. Ports and Trade: Douala port is seeking European investment and technical support for expansion, but no funding commitments were announced. Cameroon’s Business Forum has also resumed after six years, focusing on trade barriers, customs and finance for firms expanding across Africa. Industry: Cimpor estimates it held 8.7% of Cameroon’s cement market in 2025, though it disclosed no sales volumes and the figure cannot be independently verified.

Workplace Safety: Experts at an international congress in Douala called for practical safety measures, warning that limited resources should not excuse preventable injuries and deaths. Agriculture: Cameroon, IFAD and the World Bank launched AgriConnect to boost production, jobs and investment across eight value chains, including cassava, cocoa, rice and aquaculture. Business Finance: The African Development Bank approved a €40 million facility for AFG Bank Cameroon to help businesses finance equipment, inputs and exports, with a focus on SMEs. Energy: Dangote says a petroleum distribution project in Cameroon is nearing completion, as the group expands pipelines and storage across Africa following its Kenya pipeline investment. Business Climate: The Cameroon Business Forum has resumed after six years, with companies pressing for tax relief, easier credit and lower energy costs. Infrastructure: A US firm and partner are discussing a feasibility study for a proposed $2 billion airport near Douala; the project still requires approvals.

Agriculture: Cameroon launched AgriConnect with the World Bank to lift food production, create jobs and attract investment across eight value chains, including cassava, cocoa, rice and fisheries. Gold: An estimated 44 tonnes of Cameroonian gold reached Dubai from 2021 to 2025, while just 148 kilograms were officially declared, highlighting major losses to smuggling. Energy: Dangote says a petroleum distribution project in Cameroon is nearing finalisation as his group builds fuel supply routes across Africa. Business climate: The Cameroon Business Forum resumed in Douala after a six-year pause, with firms pressing for tax relief, easier credit and lower energy costs. Timber: Cameroon and the UK discussed financing, technology and equipment to expand local wood processing; no funding commitment was announced. Food production: A Cameroon-Indonesian partnership is considering a $15 million organic fertilizer plant to replace some imports. Trade: Douala Port is courting Burkina Faso transporters to grow transit cargo by cutting costs and improving customs procedures. Oil: The Thali offshore exploration licence has been extended to October 2027, clearing the way for plans to drill the NJOM-3 well next year.

Regional Trade: Cameroon is joining Benin and Nigeria in plans to digitally connect customs systems, with Afreximbank support. The move could cut border delays and paperwork for traders, though concerns remain over implementation and data security. Agro-Processing: The government is considering more technology centers to help rural women process farm produce, while limited access to land and finance remains a hurdle. Oil and Gas: Tower Resources has secured a one-year extension for its offshore Thali license to October 2027 and is targeting a second-quarter 2027 drilling start. Investment: Indonesia-Cameroon business talks produced 19 agreements and a reported US$60 million in potential deals, including plans for tapioca and fertilizer plants, river-sand mining and fish-processing technology. Energy: Huawei has proposed digital upgrades for Cameroon’s power network, where transmission and distribution losses were about 25% of output in 2024.