(Business in Cameroon) – Cameroon is preparing to deepen its trade relations with Turkey at the 5th Türkiye–Africa Business and Economic Forum (TABEF), scheduled for 16–17 October 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye. The event organised by Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade under the co-presidency of the President of Türkiye and the current Chairperson of the African Union, will gather government officials, business leaders, and investors to explore new opportunities in agriculture, industry, agro-food, tourism, infrastructure, and healthcare. It will be held on the theme: “Navigating Global Economic Uncertainty: Strengthening the Türkiye-Africa Partnership”.
The Cameroonian Ministry of Trade has announced the participation of Cameroonian businesses in the Istanbul forum. The ministry in a press release dated September 17, invited national economic operators who are interested to take part in the forum to register for the event through its offices or the official forum website.
According to recent statistics, trade between Cameroon and Türkiye has grown steadily over the past years. Data from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicates that bilateral trade between Cameroon and Türkiye was valued at $205 million in 2019, about 126.8 billion FCFA. Turkish exports to Cameroon were valued at $151 million, around 93.4 billion FCFA, while Cameroonian exports to Türkiye stood at $54 million about 33.4 billion FCFA.
In July 2025, a Türkiye–Cameroon B2B Forum was held in Douala, organised by the Cameroon–Türkiye Business Council. The forum welcomed a 20-member Turkish delegation from sectors including textiles, agri-food, industrial machinery, and consumer goods. The event provided a platform for Turkish companies to meet with numerous Cameroonian enterprises and public institutions.
It aimed to translate Türkiye’s industrial success into tangible, long-term partnerships in Cameroon, with a focus on areas such as manufacturing, packaging, and furniture, as well as broader sectors like energy and electronics. The Istanbul forum will serve as the next platform for official and private-sector engagement between the two countries.
Mercy Fosoh
