Cameroon Invites South African Businesses in Nigeria to Its 2026 Investment Forum

Cameroon’s Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) has invited South African companies operating in Nigeria to participate in the Cameroon Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, as the agency steps up its investor outreach ahead of the November event.

The invitation was extended on the sidelines of the Invest in Nigeria Conference and Expo, scheduled for September 1 and 2, 2026, in Lagos. According to the IPA, its delegation used the visit to engage South African diplomatic officials on investment cooperation.

Accompanied by Cameroon’s Consul General in Lagos, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the South African Consulate General in the city, where it was received by the South African Consul General and Acting High Commissioner. The IPA said discussions focused on strengthening economic cooperation and building ties with South African companies operating in Nigeria. During the meeting, the agency formally presented CIF 2026 and invited the South African business community to attend.

According to the IPA, the South African Consul General welcomed the initiative and expressed his readiness to support the forum. He also pledged to encourage South African companies operating in Nigeria to participate.

The outreach is part of the IPA’s broader campaign to promote CIF 2026 and attract investors to projects in Cameroon. Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest business markets and hosts companies active across banking, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, retail and other sectors.

CIF 2026 is scheduled for November 18 to 20 at the Yaoundé Conference Center. The IPA formally launched preparations in April, setting a target of CFAF 500 billion to CFAF 800 billion in investment commitments, according to Business in Cameroon. The forum is expected to showcase 40 bankable projects, advance or conclude at least 15 deals under negotiation and identify reforms aimed at improving Cameroon’s investment competitiveness. Target sectors include agribusiness, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics and digital technology.

The IPA has also launched a nationwide call for investment-ready projects to be presented to banks, investment funds, development finance institutions and other financiers during the forum. Selected project sponsors will take part in investment-market sessions and closed-door deal rooms. Speaking recently to investors, IPA Interim General Manager Boma Donatus said the agency remained available to address difficulties arising during the implementation of investment agreements.

Figures from the IPA cited by Business in Cameroon show that 156 assessed companies invested nearly CFAF 1.9 trillion and created more than 16,000 direct jobs under the investment incentive program between 2014 and 2024.

Mercy Fosoh