The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, on Thursday, 5 February 2026, officially inaugurated the Indian-backed KKUMAYAS retail complex in Yaounde, underscoring the role of private investment in government efforts to structure, formalise, and modernise commercial activity in Cameroon’s capital. The opening ceremony in the Warda neighbourhood was attended by the High Commissioner of India to Cameroon, Shri Vijay Khanbujia, and senior administrative and municipal authorities.
The KKUMAYAS retail complex is strategically located between the Élysée bakery and the Directorate General of Taxation and covers a total surface area of 4,700 square metres. The facility brings together large-scale retail and wholesale distribution under a single commercial site developed through substantial private investment.
At the inauguration, information presented confirmed that the centre operates under a “carry-and-cash” model, supplying fast-moving consumer goods to wholesalers, public and private institutions and individual consumers at wholesale prices. The model is designed to centralise supply chains while improving price accessibility and transaction transparency within a formal retail environment.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Trade stated that the realisation of the shopping complex is part of a government policy aimed at transforming and modernising Cameroon’s commercial landscape. He explained that structured retail infrastructure plays a role in stabilising supply, supporting consumer protection and strengthening the formal economy.
The minister highlighted that the complex has already generated close to 200 direct and indirect jobs, while also stimulating related activities in transport, logistics and local production networks. He said the facility contributes to the expansion of the tax base through formalised commercial operations and declared transactions.
Authorities pointed to the centre’s role in promoting locally produced goods and supporting the “Made in Cameroon” policy by offering market access within organised retail channels. Addressing the diplomatic dimension, the High Commissioner of India to Cameroon welcomed the investment as an illustration of the quality of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, stating that the project reflects growing confidence among Indian investors in the Cameroonian market.
India’s commercial presence in Cameroon
Cameroon and India maintain longstanding commercial relations. In recent years, India has been one of Cameroon’s major trading partners, ranking third among destinations for Cameroonian exports and second among suppliers of imports. In 2023, India accounted for around 9.6% of Cameroon’s export market share and 11.6% of its import market share.
According to trade statistics, Cameroon’s exports to India totalled approximately US$475.5 million in 2023, largely in mineral fuels and petroleum products, while Indian exports to Cameroon reached an estimated US$532.6 million in 2024, including cereals, pharmaceuticals and machinery.
More than 60 Indian companies are present in Cameroon, primarily engaged in trading general merchandise and retail. Among these are groups involved in general trading and retail operations, the manufacture of plastics and biscuits, supermarket operations, and pharmaceutical production for local markets.
This Indian commercial footprint includes firms selling consumer durables, food products and pharmaceuticals, contributing to formal trade flows between the two countries. The investment presence supports the distribution of imported goods and connects to Cameroon’s retail ecosystem.
The inauguration concluded with a symbolic ribbon-cutting by the Minister of Trade, followed by a guided tour of the facility, during which officials reviewed the layout, infrastructure standards, and the range of consumer goods available within the complex.
Mercy Fosoh
