AGP Executive Report

Mining Accountability: Cameroon says undeclared gold exports between 2021-2025 created a CFAF577.51bn fiscal shortfall, after officials estimated 46.219 tons were shipped abroad versus 1.897 tons recorded in customs/SONAMINES. Agri-Investment Gap: Only 3,000 hectares of Cameroon’s 200,000-hectare farm land plan are in development, about 1.5% of the target, raising questions on financing, infrastructure and investor interest. Rail Bauxite Push: CAMALCO plans to start moving bauxite from Minim Martap to Douala by rail soon, with locomotives undergoing testing and more wagons expected. Industrial Logistics Jobs: AGL Cameroon says it now employs 1,240 people after hiring 500+ since 2023, alongside CFA45bn+ in port and equipment investments. Energy Import Pressure: Cameroon spent CFA274.3bn on hydrocarbon imports in Q1 2026, while crude export earnings fell, underlining dependence on imported refined products. CEMAC Brewing Deal Review: CEMAC says Castel is ahead on its Guinness Cameroon acquisition roadmap, but regulators still lack updated figures on investment, jobs and capacity. Legal Stakes for Mining: Sundance Resources won an ICC arbitration award of about $616m against Cameroon over the Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore dispute. Water Infrastructure Repair: CAMWATER says it reached the final phase of repairs on the Far North pipeline after flood damage, using reinforced works to improve resilience. AI for Development: The ITU launched its AI for Good Lab to help developing economies build policy, skills and public AI infrastructure beyond pilot projects.

Energy & Trade: Cameroon spent CFA274.3bn on hydrocarbon imports in Q1 2026, up 2.5% year-on-year, while crude export earnings fell to CFA152.4bn (-14.4%), underlining the country’s dependence on imported refined fuel. Competition & Industry: CEMAC says Castel is meeting its Guinness Cameroon commitments, but regulators and the company still haven’t published key figures on investment, jobs, or added production capacity. Banking & Finance: In CEMAC, banks’ net claims on governments hit CFA11.4tn (about 83.5% of credit to the rest of the economy), showing how public financing needs keep shaping private-sector lending. Mining & Arbitration: Sundance Resources won an ICC arbitration against Cameroon over the Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore project, with damages of about $616m. Construction: Combined sales and production at Cimencam and Dangote Cement dropped in Q1 2026, with sales down 12.1% year-on-year. Agri-Food & Education: WFP and MINEDUB secured a €3.6m deal to scale Cameroon’s home-grown school feeding in Adamawa, East, and Far North (2026–2029). Health & Public Systems: Africa CDC released a practical hepatitis B toolkit aimed at improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment at district level.

Mining & Arbitration: Sundance Resources says it has won an ICC arbitration against Cameroon over the Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore project, with a tribunal awarding about $616m in damages, interest and costs after Cameroon revoked mining rights and later re-awarded the permit. Cement Demand: Cameroon’s two biggest cement producers, Cimencam and Dangote Cement, report double-digit sales declines in Q1 2026, with combined sales down 12.1% year-on-year. Energy & Downstream: Dangote Group is in talks with Cameroon’s Prime Minister about building a petroleum products storage terminal (and possibly pipelines) to strengthen fuel supply security and distribution across Central Africa. Agro-Industry & Rural Impact: Socapalm highlights how its agro-industrial operations blend palm production with rural development through health, safety and community services. Climate Resilience: Cameroon and FAO launch a CFAF 1.5bn climate early-warning project in the Far North to reinforce risk management and preparedness for climate shocks. Food & Animal Health: FAO unveils a blueprint to tackle transboundary animal diseases, aiming to protect livelihoods, trade and public health. Trade & Logistics: After a ship accident at Douala port, the transport minister orders action to remove a partially submerged vessel and prevent navigation and environmental risks. Industry & Skills: Cameroon’s business scene sees new technical players in vertical transportation and engineering as urban growth drives demand for elevators and related services.

Maritime Safety: After the MV Black Rhino accident at Douala port, Cameroon’s transport minister ordered a 15-day push to remove the partially submerged wreck, with a technical salvage plan due in 8 days and anti-pollution steps to protect navigation and the environment. Energy & Downstream: Dangote Group is in talks with Cameroon’s Prime Minister on a petroleum products storage terminal (and possible pipeline links) to cut fuel logistics costs, strengthen reserves, and expand Central Africa distribution from its Lekki refinery. Oil Sector Outlook: Cameroon’s National Economic and Financial Committee warns growth will slow as LNG exports drop after the Hilli Episeyo FLNG vessel leaves in July 2026, with extractive activity expected to contract sharply. Banking & Finance: IFC appointed Cameroonian Claude Owona Ekoto as Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, aiming to expand SME and private-sector access to finance. Industry Performance: State-owned Labogénie reported a 31% revenue fall in 2025 (to CFA3.19bn) and a 32% net profit drop (to CFA180m), citing fewer billed services. Trade & Logistics: Cameroon’s SIARC 2026 craft fair opens July 27 in Yaoundé, targeting cross-border buyers and innovation in handicrafts. Governance & Security: Cameroon-linked maritime sanctions evasion schemes are highlighted as shadow fleets use fake websites mimicking African ship registries and administrations to generate false documents.

Congo Basin Timber Industrialization: ECA convenes a Yaoundé scoping meeting (29–30 July) to turn Central Africa’s forest wealth into industrial value, focusing on sustainable industrialization of the timber value chain and regional integration. Urban Construction & Elevators: Douala/Yaoundé vertical growth is boosting demand for elevators and technical maintenance, with local firms like BTE Engineering Group positioning themselves against multinational dominance. Cement & Capital Markets (Region): Dangote Cement signals a London secondary listing over Dubai, aiming for faster investor access as it expands its cement business. Downstream Energy Push: Dangote Group is discussing a Cameroon petroleum products storage terminal linked to a pipeline network to cut transport costs, improve fuel security, and strengthen Central Africa distribution from its Lekki refinery. Hydrocarbons Outlook: Cameroon’s CNEF expects growth to slow as LNG exports weaken after the Hilli Episeyo FLNG departs in July 2026, with oil sector contraction weighing on GDP. State Engineering Performance: Labogénie reports a sharp 2025 slowdown—revenue down 31% to CFA3.19bn and net profit down 32.3% to CFA180m—highlighting pressure on civil engineering services demand. Finance for SMEs: IFC appoints Claude Owona Ekoto as Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, with a mandate to expand finance access for SMEs and entrepreneurs. Crafts & Jobs: Cameroon launches SIARC 2026 (27 July–5 Aug) in Yaoundé, targeting exhibitors from 25+ countries and pushing craft innovation, standards, and market access. Security & Economic Warfare: Defence Minister Beti Assomo urges officers to better counter financial, tech, and information-based threats tied to “economic warfare.” Local Industry Spotlight: New Bell prison in Douala runs an on-site record label (Jail Time Records), turning inmate creativity into a business-like resistance model.

Congo Basin Industrialization: The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is convening a Yaoundé scoping meeting (29–30 July) to map how Central Africa’s timber value chain can be turned into sustainable industrial value and regional integration. Cement & Capital Markets: Dangote Cement says it prefers a London secondary listing over Dubai, citing faster access to investors, while keeping Lagos as its main market. Oil & Gas Downstream Push: Dangote is discussing a petroleum products storage terminal in Cameroon, potentially linked to pipelines, to cut transport costs and strengthen fuel supply security across Central Africa. Energy Outlook Risk: Cameroon’s growth outlook faces pressure as LNG exports are expected to drop after the Hilli Episeyo FLNG vessel leaves in July 2026, with extractive activity forecast to contract. Infrastructure & Services: Labogénie reports a 31% revenue fall in 2025 (CFA3.19bn) and a 32.3% net profit drop (CFA180m), pointing to slower civil engineering services demand. Urban & Housing Data: Cameroon is preparing a long-delayed population census that merges with an agriculture and livestock count, aiming to improve planning for housing, sanitation and urban observatories. Crafts & Jobs: SIARC 2026 opens 27 July–5 August in Yaoundé, targeting international exhibitors and pushing craft innovation, standards and market access. Finance Leadership: IFC appoints Claude Owona Ekoto as Regional Director for Financial Institutions in Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, focusing on SME and entrepreneur financing. Security & Economic Warfare: Cameroon’s Defence Minister urges officers to better detect and counter financial, digital and information-based threats tied to economic warfare.

Urban Engineering & Vertical Transport: As Douala and Yaoundé densify, a new wave of local firms is moving into elevator and escalator installation/maintenance, with BTE Engineering Group positioning itself to meet rising demand for reliable vertical transportation. Energy & Fuel Logistics: Dangote Group is discussing a petroleum products storage terminal in Cameroon, potentially linked to a pipeline network to cut transport costs and improve fuel security for Cameroon and Central Africa. Macroeconomic Outlook (Oil/Gas): Cameroon’s growth outlook faces pressure as LNG exports are expected to weaken after the Hilli Episeyo FLNG vessel leaves in July 2026, with the extractive sector projected to contract. State Energy Risk (Cotco): SNH has recorded an impairment tied to its still-unfinished plan to buy a 10% Cotco stake, highlighting execution and financial uncertainty in the transaction. Finance for SMEs: IFC appoints Claude Owona Ekoto as Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, aiming to expand access to finance for SMEs and entrepreneurs. Craft & Jobs: Cameroon will host SIARC 2026 (July 27–Aug 5) in Yaoundé, pushing craft innovation and market access for artisans across more than 25 countries. Business & Infrastructure Finance: Cameroon’s Labogénie reports a sharp 2025 revenue and profit decline, reflecting slower civil engineering services activity. FDI Snapshot: UNCTAD data show Cameroon attracted CFAF 332bn in FDI in 2025, still leading Central Africa despite a drop from 2024. Governance & Urban Data: Cameroon’s planned population and livestock census is being merged with agriculture and livestock counting to improve planning data for housing, sanitation, and urban observatories.

Oil & Gas Logistics: Dangote is exploring a petroleum products storage terminal in Cameroon, potentially linked to a pipeline network to cut transport costs and improve fuel supply security, though details like location and capacity are still undisclosed. Public Finance & Infrastructure: Cameroon has started moving again on Yaoundé’s Municipal Lake redevelopment, with a CFA4.1bn loan authorization to complete the first phase after months of stalled work. Energy Sector: Hydro-Mekin has launched a restricted tender to hire consultants for the rehabilitation planning of its 15MW Mekin hydropower plant, aiming to define repair scope and bidding documents. State-Owned Company Watch: Labogénie reported a sharp 2025 slowdown, with revenue down 31% and net profit down 32.3%, pointing to weaker billing amid infrastructure-linked demand. Banking & SME Support: IFC appointed Claude Owona Ekoto as Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, with a focus on expanding finance for SMEs and entrepreneurs. Climate Finance Readiness: Cameroon’s National Sinking Fund is seeking Green Climate Fund accreditation, recruiting consultants to meet governance, procurement and safeguards requirements. Agri & Value Chains: ICI expanded child-protection support across cocoa communities, covering 1.68m children and 1.33m cocoa-farming households in Cameroon and the region. Humanitarian Supply Chain: China-backed relief supplies arrived in Douala, with about 120 trucks planned to distribute food and essentials across Cameroon’s most pressured regions.

Energy & Infrastructure: Dangote Group is exploring a Cameroon petroleum products storage facility linked to a pipeline network, discussed in Yaoundé with Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, aiming to cut transport costs and improve fuel supply security across Central Africa. Urban Development: Cameroon is restarting Yaoundé’s Municipal Lake redevelopment after President Biya authorized about CFA4.1bn (US$7m) borrowing from Deutsche Bank Spain to close a funding gap and unlock the first phase works. Climate Finance: Cameroon’s National Sinking Fund (CAA) is seeking accreditation with the Green Climate Fund, launching a tender to recruit consultants to meet GCF standards for governance, safeguards, procurement and transparency. Power & Engineering: Hydro-Mekin has launched a restricted tender to hire consultants to define the scope and bidding documents for rehabilitating its 15MW Mekin hydropower plant. Agribusiness & Food Systems: The World Food Prize Foundation named AgricFresh (Cameroon) as a semifinalist in its Innovate for Impact Challenge for a solar-powered cold storage system that cuts post-harvest losses. Trade & Compliance: The WTO Fish Fund approved $2.2m in grants to help members implement the fisheries subsidies agreement, including needs assessments, reporting and regulatory upgrades. Governance & Security: Defence Minister Joseph Beti Assomo urged officers to counter economic warfare threats tied to finance, technology and information manipulation. Business Health: State publisher Sopecam returned to profit in 2025, but cash flow remains strained by rising unpaid customer invoices.

Fisheries & Trade Finance: The WTO Fish Fund steering committee approved about $2.2m in grants for 17 developing and least-developed members to implement the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, including needs assessments, reporting upgrades, data collection and stronger regulation. Maritime & Port Safety: Oman ordered the owners of the stranded Cameroon-flagged tanker Supermax Caroline Bezengi to act within 24 hours to remove the vessel from rocks off the Hallaniyat Islands, threatening legal action. Security & Economic Warfare: Defence Minister Joseph Beti Assomo urged officers to better spot and counter financial, technological and information-based threats, warning that economic warfare now targets supply chains, payment systems and digital networks. Urban Development & Housing: Cameroon moved to restart Yaoundé Municipal Lake redevelopment with an added ~CFA4.1bn loan authorization to close a funding gap and resume works. Hydropower Rehabilitation: Hydro-Mekin launched a restricted tender to hire consultants for the 15MW Mekin hydropower plant rehabilitation, including engineering design and bidding documents. Climate Finance Readiness: Cameroon’s National Sinking Fund (CAA) began steps to seek Green Climate Fund accreditation, recruiting consultants to meet governance, safeguards and procurement standards. Agri-Food & Jobs: Cameroon’s Investment Promotion Agency signed deals worth CFAF10.88bn with agribusiness and manufacturing firms, targeting 200 jobs. Cocoa Child Protection: The International Cocoa Initiative expanded child protection support to 1.68m children in cocoa communities, with 1.33m farming households covered in Cameroon and the region.

Cocoa Child Protection: ICI says it expanded child-labour monitoring and remediation to 1.68 million children in West Africa’s cocoa communities, with coverage rising to 1.33 million cocoa-farming households including Cameroon. Agri-Food Innovation: World Food Prize Foundation names Cameroon’s AgricFresh among 10 semifinalists for its Innovate for Impact AgTech challenge, backing solar-powered cold storage to cut post-harvest losses for smallholders. Investment Push in Cameroon: Cameroon’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) signed deals worth CFAF10.88bn in Yaoundé, targeting agribusiness, manufacturing and tourism and expected to create 200 jobs. Mining Reforms: Cameroon’s interim mines leadership says sector reforms aim to lift state gold revenues to over 1,000bn FCFA annually in the short term, alongside new production projects. Fuel & Logistics: Dangote Petroleum explores a Cameroon petroleum products storage terminal to support strategic reserves and reduce fuel logistics costs across Central Africa. Water Security: At the N’Djamena African Water Forum, Cameroon’s minister urged stronger partner support for a Water Compact of nearly $4bn to tackle uneven water access affecting agriculture and energy. Land & Women’s Rights: CIVITAS Cameroon convenes stakeholders in Bamenda on protecting women’s land rights under recent land governance reforms.

Mining & Industry Investment: Cameroon’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) signed two new investment deals worth CFAF10.88bn in Yaounde, expected to create 200 jobs, plus two addenda covering upgrades and site relocation for projects in agribusiness, manufacturing and tourism. Mining Sector Reform: Cameroon’s interim mines leadership says reforms are set to push the State’s gold-related revenue to over CFAF1,000bn annually, alongside new industrial mining projects. Maritime & Logistics: Douala-Bonabéri authorities gave the owner of the container ship Black Rhino 15 days to clear the access channel after a collision, with salvage firms already on site. Energy & Fuel Storage Talks: Dangote Group is exploring a Cameroon petroleum products storage terminal to strengthen reserves and supply security, with possible pipeline links. Water Security: At the African Water Forum in N’Djamena, Cameroon’s minister presented a strategy and sought partner support for a nearly $4bn Water Compact. Higher Education & Skills: University of Bertoua opened a call for agropastoral and fisheries projects under an import-substitution programme, while Lion Higher Institute sealed a mentorship deal with the University of Bamenda. Trade & Exports: China invited Cameroonian exporters to the Shanghai Import Expo (Nov 5–10, 2026). Agriculture & Land Rights: CIVITAS Cameroon ran a workshop in Bamenda on protecting women’s land rights in land management and justice.

Investment & Jobs: Cameroon’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) signed two investment agreements and two addenda worth over 10.8 billion FCFA in Yaounde on July 16, targeting agro-processing, manufacturing and tourism, with projects projected to create 200 jobs. Mining Reform & Revenue: The government says reforms in the mining sector aim to lift state gold revenues to over 1,000 billion FCFA annually, as Cameroon moves to tighten oversight and recover unpaid taxes after UAE trade data exposed major under-declaration. Gold Crackdown: Cameroon launches a nationwide operation on August 1 to recover about 305 billion FCFA in unpaid taxes tied to undeclared gold exports (2023–2025), targeting mining companies and sites linked to discrepancies. Maritime Logistics: Douala Port authorities gave the owner of the container ship Black Rhino a 15-day deadline to remove the vessel from the access channel after a collision, with salvage firms already on site. Trade & Export Promotion: China invited Cameroonian exporters to the Shanghai Import Expo (Nov 5–10, 2026), offering a direct channel to Chinese buyers. Plastic Policy: Cameroon is enforcing a 30% recycled PET (R-PET) requirement for plastic packaging and products ahead of the Dec 1, 2026 deadline. Agri-Tech Funding: The University of Bertoua opened a call for proposals for agropastoral and fisheries projects under an import-substitution program. Security Spillover: Reports from the Nigeria–Cameroon border highlight a boat capsizing tragedy with over 20 feared dead, underscoring ongoing risks along shared waterways.

Gold Crackdown: Cameroon launches a nationwide operation on Aug. 1 to recover about CFAF305bn ($524m) in unpaid taxes from undeclared gold exports, targeting 51 mining companies and 33 suspected sites after UAE trade data showed huge gaps versus Cameroon’s official figures. Mining Oversight: A separate crackdown froze 200+ semi-mechanised mining operations in East and Adamawa, halting environmental damage but triggering local job shocks. Maritime Logistics: Cameroon gives the owner of the Black Rhino 15 days to clear a container ship wreck from the Douala-Bonabéri access channel, with salvage firms already on site and possible government action at the owner’s cost. Port/Trade Facilitation: CNCC plans to expand roadside service centers into mini banking and Mobile Money hubs, seeking a partner for the Dibamba site first, then others along key freight corridors. Circular Plastics Policy: Cameroon enforces a 30% locally recycled PET (R-PET) mandate for plastic packaging and products ahead of the Dec. 1, 2026 deadline. Mining Investment: Chinese investors pitch a CFAF45.2bn zircon project in East Cameroon, aiming for mining plus local processing and transformation before export. Agri-Innovation: University of Bertoua opens a call for agropastoral and fisheries import-substitution projects under PIISAH, backing applied research, pilot production and value addition. Cocoa Value Addition: Africa’s major cocoa producers push to end raw bean exports and boost local processing through a new bloc formed at the Abuja summit. Finance/Payments Tech: Binance Africa argues blockchain settlement should sit at AfCFTA’s core to cut payment frictions that route trade through foreign banks. Shipping/Geopolitics: Reports link intensified Black Sea attacks on civilian tankers to the wider Russia-Ukraine maritime escalation, including a Cameroon-flagged tanker hit while loading Kazakh crude.

Gold Crackdown: Cameroon will launch an Aug. 1 operation to recover about CFAF305 billion ($524m) in unpaid taxes from undeclared gold exports, targeting 51 mining firms and 33 hidden sites after UAE trade data showed imports far above Cameroon’s official figures. Mining Oversight: The move follows a wider freeze of 200+ semi-mechanised mining operations in East and Adamawa, halting environmental damage but triggering local job shocks. Mining Politics: Commentaries are calling for an independent, transparent probe into illegal gold exports, with claims that only a small share of production moves through government channels. Investment & Industry: Chinese backers unveiled a CFAF45.2bn zircon mining and processing plan in Cameroon’s East, aiming to build an extraction-to-first-transformation chain and create 500 direct jobs. Agri Entrepreneurship: MINPMEESA and CAPEF formalised an incubator at Ambam’s agriculture school (EPABA Business Lab) to support rural SMEs in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry. Infrastructure Delivery: Yaoundé’s northern entry road expansion is behind schedule (25.86% complete vs 89.11% of contract time elapsed), with land release and utility relocations cited as key blockers. Trade & Ports: Cameroon opened talks with MSC-linked Terminal Investment Limited on the long-delayed Limbe deep-sea port project.

Mining Crackdown: Cameroon begins Aug 1 recovery drive to reclaim over $500m in unpaid gold taxes and customs, targeting 51 companies and 33 sites after a gap between declared output and shipments. Mining Reform: The government also launches stepped-up controls and traceability to curb under-reported gold production and smuggling losses. Zircon Investment: Chinese investors pitch a CFAF45.2bn zircon mining and processing project in the East Region, aiming for 500 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs and local first transformation before export. Agribusiness Incubation: MINPMEESA and CAPEF sign a deal to formalize incubation at EPABA Business Lab in Ambam, supporting rural SMEs in agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry. Port & Trade: Cameroon opens talks with MSC-linked Terminal Investment Limited to revive the long-delayed Limbe deep-sea port project. Infrastructure Watch: Yaoundé’s northern entry road expansion is only 25.86% complete despite most of the contract period passing, with land release and utility relocations blamed. Census Pressure: MINAT issues an urgent directive to speed up RGPH-4 and the agriculture module ahead of the July 31 deadline. Finance & Regional Banking: Afriland First Bank opens in the Central African Republic, pushing deeper regional financial inclusion. Entrepreneurship: Mboa Jeunes Créatifs selects 48 Cameroonian entrepreneurs for incubation across green economy, digital, social economy and crafts.