Yaoundé, Cameroon (BG) – A strong call for increased investment and economic revitalization took center stage at the Cameroon Economic Meetings, where business leaders and policymakers gathered to explore pathways for sustainable growth.
With Cameroon facing economic challenges, the event aimed to mobilize local and international investors while fostering policies to drive industrial transformation and financial inclusion.
Held on February 26-27, 2025, in Yaoundé, the event’s inaugural edition—organized by the Groupement des Entreprises du Cameroun (GECAM)—brought together key stakeholders to discuss solutions for a stronger and more resilient economy.
Focusing on public-private collaboration, the conference highlighted the need for structural reforms, improved financing mechanisms, and a more competitive business environment.
Cameroon’s economy has been grappling with persistent issues such as a trade deficit exceeding half a billion dollars and inflation surpassing 6%.
The government is pushing forward with its National Strategy for Development, which aims to reduce reliance on imports by strengthening local production and enhancing value-added industries.
Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute reaffirmed Cameroon’s potential as an investment destination, emphasizing its rich natural resources, economic diversification, and industrial prospects.
GECAM President Célestin Tawamba highlighted the need for stronger partnerships between businesses and the government to support local entrepreneurs and promote innovation.
The event featured strategic discussions, plenary sessions, and B2B meetings, all aimed at creating actionable strategies for economic recovery.
As discussions unfolded, the focus remained on ensuring that policy recommendations translate into tangible reforms, setting the stage for a more dynamic and self-sufficient economy.
The Cameroon Economic Meetings served as a crucial step toward attracting investors and strengthening the country’s position in the global marketplace.
According to the World Bank, Cameroon’s economic recovery slowed in 2023, with real GDP expanding by only 3.3%, down from 3.6% in 2022.
Until early 2024, estimates had projected real GDP growth for 2023 at around 4.0%, but national accounts from the last two quarters of 2023 revealed a marked deceleration in growth.
