(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroon’s National Assembly has approved a bill allowing President Paul Biya to ratify the Air Transport Agreement with Canada, initially signed on June 1, 2022, in Yaoundé. This initiative aligns with the 1994 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, where both nations are participating states. The agreement aims to remove financial barriers, including double taxation, and ease access to customs duties and other fees.
This agreement is seen as a catalyst to boost the civil aviation and tourism sectors in both countries. Transport Minister Jean Ernest Masséna Ngalle Bibehe highlighted that this accord “paves the way for the expansion and development of business opportunities between the airlines of the parties.” He noted that it is expected to reduce air transport costs between the two destinations, thus facilitating the movement of people and goods.
Cameroon’s national airline, Camair-Co, which already collaborates with Canada’s Bombardier Inc. for fleet expansion, is set to benefit from this enhanced cooperation. “Camair-Co, in its long-term international redeployment plan, sees this legal instrument as an opportunity not only to generate revenue from air transport services but also to strengthen its collaboration with Bombardier Inc.,” said Minister Ngalle Bibehe.
The Transport Minister highlighted the acquisition of two Bombardier Q400 aircraft to bolster Camair-Co’s domestic and regional operations. Currently, Camair-Co handles 25% of passenger traffic in the Cemac region, transporting an average of 300,000 passengers per year, according to Ngalle Bibehe. He also emphasized the importance of this agreement for Cameroon’s air services liberalization policy. By regulating key aspects such as the granting of rights and authorizations, civil aviation safety, fare setting, and access to airport infrastructure and fees, this agreement aims to reduce financial and administrative constraints, fostering a favorable environment for expanding bilateral trade.
Official Canadian government data shows that merchandise trade between Cameroon and Canada totaled nearly $99 million (around CFA44.2 billion at the current Canadian dollar value) in 2021, highlighting the underlying economic potential. Canadian exports to Cameroon exceeded $87 million (about CFA38.8 billion), while Canadian imports from Cameroon amounted to nearly $12 million (about CFA5.3 billion).
