Cameroon has secured a structured investment pipeline worth 18.4 billion CFA francs following the first edition of the Economic Forum for Import-Substitution with Latin American Countries, held in Yaoundé from April 21 to 23, 2026. The information was made public in a press release issued by the Investment Promotion Agency, IPA, on April 24, and signed by the Interim General Manager of the IPA, Boma Donatus.
Organized jointly by the Ministry of External Relations and the Investment Promotion Agency, EFILAC 2026 brought together more than 40 Cameroonian economic operators, 15 Latin American companies, several sectoral ministries, and high-level technical experts under the theme: “Optimizing Local Production through International Partnership for the Structural Transformation of Cameroon’s Economy.”
According to the document, the forum was a milestone for the country’s economic ambitions.
“EFILAC 2026 was conceived as a strategic South-South cooperation platform aimed at strengthening economic exchanges between Cameroon and Latin American countries, particularly Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Its objectives included mobilizing foreign investment, facilitating technology transfer, and fostering long-term industrial partnerships,” part of the IPA release read.
Agreements signed; offices opened
It emerged from the document that among the most significant outcomes, a cooperation agreement valued at approximately 1.5 billion CFA francs was signed between state livestock company SODEPA and Argentine group IASA to strengthen Cameroon’s bovine production chain. Implementation is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2026.
Brazilian group SANTA MARIA announced the opening of a new office in Ngoundere on May 30, 2026, dedicated to producing improved bovine reproduction inputs and animal feed. Separately, Brazilian firm TELAMETAL confirmed the shipment to Cameroon of modern aquaculture equipment worth over one million US dollars to Cameroon. The equipment is intended for the installation of floating cages to modernize fishing techniques in the country.
The business-to-business and business-to-government sessions proved particularly productive, with 71 meetings conducted against an initial target of 46, representing a performance rate of 154 per cent. Sectors covered included agropastoral production, aquaculture, food processing, agricultural machinery, solar energy, and infrastructure development.
“The business meetings resulted in a structured investment pipeline of 18.4 billion CFA, comprising technical assessments, partnership intentions, international linkages, and potential financial commitments. These outcomes reaffirm Cameroon’s attractiveness to Latin American investors,” part of the document added.
In the short term, a monitoring mechanism will be put in place to track the 71 business meetings and support project development. In the medium term, bilateral economic missions and the creation of an IPA-Latin America Business Desk are planned. Over the longer term, a structured South-South economic cooperation program and the development of pilot agro-industrial zones are envisaged to sustain the forum’s gains.
“The organizers of EFILAC 2026 reaffirm their commitment to attracting transformative investments, modernizing national value chains, and strengthening economic cooperation with Latin American countries for the benefit of Cameroon’s development,” the document concluded.
The forum aligns with government policy to position Cameroon as a leading agro-industrial hub in Central Africa.
Mercy Fosoh
