Cameroon invites businesses to explore $500m U.S.-Africa program on minerals
Source: Cameroon Intelligence Report · Admin Maneger ·

Cameroon’s Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA) on September 25 invited local businesses to explore financing opportunities under the U.S.-Africa Strategic Investment Program, a $500 million initiative focused partly on critical minerals and commercial investment in sub-Saharan Africa. The U.S. Department of State launched the program in July. According to the…
Read the full article on Cameroon Intelligence ReportRelated — Cameroon
CameroonEnergy Minister conducts surprised inspections of Yaounde service stations and bottling plants
© MINEE Cameroon’s Minister of Water Resources and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, led an intense five-hour unannounced field inspection tour across Yaounde on Monday, September 28, 2026. This in a move to enforce supply stability. Accompanied by close aides, the minister spent the morning from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM personally evaluating the availability of domestic liquefied petroleum gas - LPG and kerosene. Following a circular letter issued on September 23 instructing operators to streamline their supply chains, the surprise inspection aimed to verify compliance, identify persistent logistical bottlenecks, and accelerate corrective measures directly at the retail level. The unannounced tour encompassed 18 key locations, ranging from major service stations to high-capacity LPG bottling facilities. The delegation visited major retail outlets including TotalEnergies Odza, Neptune Messamendongo, Tradex Messamendongo, TotalEnergies MAGZI, OLA Energy MAGZI, BOCOM Mvan, MRS Mvan, Green Oil Ekié, Tradex Bastos, and Tradex Mballa II. In addition, the minister inspected industrial centers such as Infotech SA (PleinGaz), Star Gaz, AfriGaz, and Bota Oil MAGZI Sud to examine safety protocols, cylinder integrity, and bulk supply capacities. The inspections revealed a stark contrast in product availability depending on the location and operator. While stations like Tradex Bastos demonstrated strong performance, distributing up to 1,100 domestic gas recharges daily alongside regular kerosene service, others experienced severe shortages. For instance, OLA Energy MAGZI reported a three-week stockout of domestic gas, while BOCOM Mvan lacked both LPG and kerosene at the time of the visit. At Green Oil Ekié II, a fresh delivery of 160 gas cylinders arrived right as the minister arrived, illustrating real-time supply adjustments on the ground. Whenever supply disruptions or administrative delays were detected, Minister Eloundou Essomba took immediate action by calling company managing directors directly from the field. He questioned executives on delivery schedules, demand levels, and order fulfillment to resolve bottlenecks on the spot. Beyond product availability, safety compliance was rigorously audited at bottling plants like Star Gaz and AfriGaz, where the minister inspected water booster pumps, fire defense systems, and cylinder safety testing protocols. A central focus of the tour was Tradex Mballa II, identified as a high-demand, high-pressure distribution hub. The station routinely processes 1,500 to 2,000 liters of kerosene daily and delivers hundreds of LPG refills to local residents. Pointing to the persistent demand in the area, the minister issued firm instructions to station managers and suppliers that interruptions in service would no longer be tolerated, ordering continuous and prioritized stock replenishment for critical urban hubs. Throughout the operation, the minister’s overarching message to petroleum marketers was unambiguous: "Put gas in all sales points." He instructed marketers and distributors to intensify deliveries across the capital city, expanding supply operations to include Saturdays and Sundays. Emphasizing that temporary interventions are insufficient, Eloundou Essomba urged industry players to work toward complete market saturation to permanently eliminate artificial scarcity and panic buying. Regarding kerosene distribution, the minister demanded seamless, transparent service wherever stocks were available. Where stockouts persisted, such as at Neptune Messamendongo and TotalEnergies Boulevard Présidentiel, operators were instructed to fast-track deliveries and repurpose storage tanks where necessary to accommodate consumer needs. Station managers were directed to keep the ministry informed on a daily basis regarding product inflows and sales metrics. As the country enters the fourth quarter of the year, Minister Eloundou Essomba stressed that government oversight will remain rigorous. He called on all sector actors to maintain high vigilance, anticipate seasonal demand surges, and streamline logistics. Moving from written administrative directives to active field monitoring, the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy has signaled its resolve to enforce market stability and guarantee continuous energy access for households across Cameroon. Cet article Energy Minister conducts surprised inspections of Yaounde service stations and bottling plants est apparu en premier sur Journal du Cameroun.
CameroonCameroon and European Union wrap up landmark decade-long Banana support program
© MINEPAT The final evaluation and reporting workshop for the Banana Accompanying Measures Program - MAB took place in Yaounde on September 23, 2026, marking the successful completion of a major long-term initiative. The event was co-chaired by Paul Tasong, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development - MINEPAT, alongside Her Excellency Veronika Boskovic Pohar, European Union Ambassador to Cameroon, and key sector partners. Designed within the framework of the Cameroon–EU cooperation, the MAB program has served as a cornerstone for strengthening and expanding Cameroon's banana sector over the past decade. Financed through the European Union, the program mobilized over 31 billion FCFA, approximately €47 million, in grants since the initial agreement was launched in 2013. These funds were directed toward modernizing infrastructure, acquiring state-of-the-art equipment, and driving productivity across commercial plantations. Beyond hardware investments, a significant portion of the funding was channeled into international certification processes, helping Cameroonian banana exports adhere to strict global standards while improving working conditions and preserving vital jobs in rural production zones. Human capital development remained a primary pillar throughout the program's ten-year deployment. The initiative provided comprehensive training and capacity-building opportunities for workers across the entire value chain, supporting both major production operators and collective initiatives led by the Banana Association of Cameroon - ASSOBACAM. By investing heavily in technical skills, the program built a more resilient workforce capable of sustaining high quality and competitiveness in international markets. The wrap-up workshop provided an essential platform to capitalize on the technical, economic, social, and environmental achievements realized over more than ten years of implementation. Through MINEPAT, the Cameroonian government aims to consolidate these strategic gains to define clear future perspectives for the banana industry, which represents one of the nation's top non-oil agricultural exports and a vital source of foreign exchange. This long-term cooperation aligns directly with the priorities of Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2030 - SND30, particularly regarding economic structural transformation, productive sector growth, and employment creation. The successful conclusion of the MAB program highlights the enduring strength of the Cameroon-EU partnership, reinforcing its role as a key driver for sustainable economic growth and job creation across the country. Cet article Cameroon and European Union wrap up landmark decade-long Banana support program est apparu en premier sur Journal du Cameroun.
CameroonYouth take center stage as Cameroon’s LCOY 2026 sets strategy for COP31
© LCOY Cameroon’s vibrant youth movement took a massive stride forward as the Local Conference of Youth - LCOY 2026 concluded on September 23, 2026, at the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung office in Yaounde. The two-day national event brought together dozens of passionate young delegates from across all ten regions of the country to draft the National Youth Statement. This crucial advocacy document will be presented to Cameroonian governmental authorities to ensure the nation’s youth perspective is integrated into the national agenda ahead of the COP31 global climate negotiations scheduled for November 9 to 20, 2026, in Antalya, Turkey. Organized under the global umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the UNFCCC, and accredited locally through Support Humanitarian Cameroon - SUHUCAM, the conference served as a vital consultation platform. Key themes centered around climate education, digital literacy, establishing a shared institutional architecture, and unlocking climate finance access for youth-led organizations. Participants actively engaged in round-table discussions, plenaries, and specialized focus groups addressing adaptation strategies, energy transitions, and community-level resilience. Highlighting the transformative nature and smooth execution of the event, organizers and regional delegates reflected on how the gathering united diverse voices while providing essential logistics to remove participation barriers. Awat Bertrand Abanyi, a member of the organizing coalition and Founder of Green Globe organization, emphasized the event's intentional inclusivity, noting that "to make it relatively easy, and to see into it that there was no exclusion, you see we had to bring people who were even disabled in one way or another." He extended heartfelt appreciation to key partners, stating, "we want to give a big shout-out to our partners: the United Nations Development Programme, we want to give a big shout-out to UNICEF." Concurrently, Dr. Ngai Nfor Jude of ECOAID Buea praised the authentic engagement of participants from every region, observing that "everybody actually aired out what is happening, the reality, and that is why we actually came up at the end of the day with a concrete 10 powerful points to send to the authorities." He further affirmed that the conference signaled a broader paradigm shift, declaring, "we now know that the youth are not beneficiaries, but they are actually actors, main actors when it comes to these climate change activities." A major focal point throughout the discussions was the imperative for financial empowerment and localized capacity building, particularly for communities hit hardest by environmental degradation. Mang-Egre Léonard, coordinator of the Network of Actors for Sustainable Development (Réseau des Acteurs pour le Développement Durable), highlighted the urgent situation in the Far North region. He noted that masterclasses led by experts from UN entities and government ministries on climate finance and fundraising empowered organizations like his to collaborate and design bankable, resilient projects capable of making a tangible impact on the ground. Inclusivity extended beyond regional borders to encompass vulnerable social groups, ensuring every section of society had a voice in shaping Cameroon's climate future. Representatives from indigenous communities, the grassfields, Francophone regions, and persons with disabilities voiced specific community challenges. Ebwe-Lobe Samuel, a visually impaired student at IRIC and social entrepreneur, lauded the conference for deepening his understanding of Cameroon’s national development framework (SND30) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), while advocating for future dedicated climate forums focused tailored specifically to persons with disabilities. The gathering also challenged conventional views on who can participate in climate action, promoting the idea that environmental stewardship spans across all professional backgrounds. Climate advocate Fatima Mady stressed that climate literacy must extend to non-specialists, arguing that every citizen, from human resource officers and linguists to market vendors in Mokolo, can contribute meaningfully to climate solutions within their own daily spheres, as climate impacts affect everyone universally. Coordinators like Dr. Ngwa Niba of Support Humanity Cameroon reaffirmed that LCOY 2026 successfully consolidated intellectual resources from across the national territory. By aligning young people’s lived experiences with strategic frameworks, the conference ensured youth input is directly embedded into policy consultations. The consolidated data is currently undergoing final review by delegates before being formally submitted to national ministries to help guide Cameroon’s official delegation at COP31. Ultimately, LCOY 2026 proved to be an inspiring baseline for unified youth activism in Central Africa. Supported by partners such as UNDP and UNICEF, Cameroonian youth have demonstrated that they are prepared to transition from passive observers to lead negotiators and key drivers of climate resilience in their communities and on the international stage. Cet article Youth take center stage as Cameroon’s LCOY 2026 sets strategy for COP31 est apparu en premier sur Journal du Cameroun.
CameroonCameroon and IMF convene over strategic investments to bolster the electricity sector
© Afriquebelgique.news Cameroon’s Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, alongside senior ministry officials, hosted an International Monetary Fund - IMF delegation led by Mission Chief Christine Dieterich on Monday, September 21, 2026. The bilateral discussions focused comprehensively on the operational and financial health of the national power sector. Addressing issues spanning power generation, transmission infrastructure, loss reduction, and growing consumer demand, Cameroonian authorities provided a transparent overview of current structural bottlenecks while presenting strategic roadmaps designed to stabilize the power grid. While acknowledging ongoing supply disruptions, the Ministry outlined key initiatives underway to enhance service quality through targeted infrastructure rehabilitation. A primary focus involves upgrading high-voltage transmission networks, increasing transformer substation capacities, and fortifying distribution corridors. Notably, to address power drops caused by decaying wooden infrastructure, the government has launched a World Bank-supported project to substitute 50,000 of the nation's 1.5 million wooden poles with concrete alternatives across all ten regions, prioritizing critical supply lines. The operational status of the Nachtigal Hydroelectric Power Plant formed a central pillar of the consultation. Although the facility's production infrastructure is fully operational, Minister Eloundou Essomba detailed how fluctuating hydrological conditions and seasonal water shortages currently prevent the plant from consistently generating at its maximum installed capacity. This reality underscores the vulnerability of the national grid to hydrological risks and highlights the urgent necessity to diversify energy sources to meet expanding consumer requirements. To maximize the impact of available power, accelerating energy transport infrastructure remains a top priority. While Nachtigal’s output successfully reaches Yaounde, active construction is focused on completing the high-voltage transmission corridor to Douala, the country's primary industrial center. Contractors working on the remaining segments have been directed to expedite construction, with official targets aiming to render the entire Yaoundé–Douala evacuation corridor operational before the end of 2026. In tandem with grid expansion, authorities emphasized the imperative to curb significant technical and commercial losses that undermine the sector's financial sustainability. Resolving these leaks requires a combination of network modernization, rigorous preventative maintenance, and heightened measures against electricity fraud. Confronting a continuous rise in domestic and industrial demand, the government outlined emergency supply initiatives, including a planned 200 MW rapid-deploy solar program and capacity restoration at existing facilities. Looking toward medium-term stability, discussions highlighted expansion plans for the gas-fired power plant in Kribi to generate immediate base-load capacity ahead of larger infrastructure rollouts. Ministry officials reiterated that securing a reliable, high-volume energy supply extends beyond basic utility provision; it is an essential prerequisite for sustaining industrialization and broader economic growth. The high-level exchange paved the way for Cameroon to align its sector reform commitments with IMF monitoring, reinforcing a shared emphasis on sustainable energy governance. Cet article Cameroon and IMF convene over strategic investments to bolster the electricity sector est apparu en premier sur Journal du Cameroun.
CameroonPerenco reports new Oil and Gas findings in Cameroon
Cameroon’s National Hydrocarbons Corporation, SNH, and Perenco have released new data on exploration and development work in the Rio del Rey basin. The information was presented on September 17, 2026, in Yaoundé at a meeting marking the appointment of Julien Gras as managing director of Perenco’s Cameroonian subsidiaries. According to a briefing note prepared by…
CameroonAgriculture: WFP inaugurates new Administrative facility in Far North Cameroon
© WFP The United Nations World Food Programme - WFP has officially handed over a newly constructed administrative building to the Sub-divisional Delegations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - MINADER serving Maroua I and Maroua II. This milestone marks a significant step forward in strengthening the operational capacity of local agricultural authorities in the Far North Region of Cameroon. The official handover ceremony was led by Gianluca Ferrera, WFP Representative and Country Director in Cameroon, alongside His Excellency Gabriel Mbairobe, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Their joint presence highlighted the shared commitment of both international agencies and national leadership to drive sustainable development and enhance public service delivery in the region. Designed to upgrade the local working environment, the new infrastructure will allow administrative officers to better serve regional agricultural stakeholders. By providing local authorities with modern facilities, the initiative aims to streamline support for smallholder farmers and enhance the rollout of crucial rural development programs across the surrounding areas. Beyond improved office space, the investment serves as a strategic boost to regional food systems and long-term community resilience. Strengthening MINADER’s capacity at the sub-divisional level ensures that local farmers receive more effective, direct assistance, ultimately supporting sustainable livelihoods and bolstering food security in communities vulnerable to climatic and economic shocks. This modern facility reflects a deepening partnership between WFP and the Government of Cameroon to establish lasting, sustainable solutions for food security. By continuing to empower local agricultural institutions, both partners are working toward a future where farmers are better supported, communities become increasingly resilient, and no one is left behind. Cet article Agriculture: WFP inaugurates new Administrative facility in Far North Cameroon est apparu en premier sur Journal du Cameroun.
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