Cameroon Presents Energy, SME Opportunities to Egyptian Partners

Egypt and Cameroon are exploring broader cooperation in energy, water and small business development as Yaoundé seeks financing, technology and expertise for projects ranging from hydropower and solar energy to start-up funding and leather processing.

The discussions took place during a visit by Mohamed Karim Fouad Sharif, Egypt’s assistant foreign minister for African affairs. He met Water and Energy Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba on September 10, a day after holding talks with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts Minister Achille Bassilekin III.

According to Cameroon’s Ministry of Water and Energy, the meeting in Yaoundé reviewed the country’s priority needs and projects that could draw on Egyptian expertise, technology and private-sector participation. The delegation included Egypt’s ambassador to Cameroon and representatives of Egyptian construction company The Arab Contractors.

Cameroonian officials were invited to submit detailed proposals and documentation for projects ready for development. Sharif said the mission was intended to give fresh impetus to bilateral relations through South-South cooperation and stronger partnerships between African countries.

“We must work towards building an Africa that possesses its own resources and uses them for its development. African states must pool their expertise, technologies and capacities to provide African solutions to the continent’s problems,” Sharif said.

Hydropower, solar and gas opportunities

The presence of The Arab Contractors added a commercial dimension to the talks. The company participated with Elsewedy Electric in the construction of Tanzania’s 2,115-megawatt Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Plant, which was officially inaugurated on August 22, 2026.

The Egyptian delegation also highlighted expertise in dam construction, solar power, seawater desalination, irrigation and water-resource management.

Discussions covered the 500-MW Kikot-Mbebe hydroelectric project. The Arab Contractors is among the companies prequalified for the project’s civil works contract. The Egyptian delegation also expressed interest in examining other opportunities in Cameroon’s hydropower sector.

Eloundou Essomba identified additional generation capacity as one of Cameroon’s main electricity-sector priorities. He highlighted solar projects, particularly in the northern regions, where the government is seeking to use available sunlight to diversify electricity production.

Cameroon already has solar plants in Maroua and Guider, developed with Norwegian company Scatec under a leasing arrangement. Additional solar capacity is also being developed at the two sites.

The two sides discussed Cameroon’s gas resources and their potential use in electricity generation. Other projects presented included the interconnection of the Southern and Northern Interconnected Grids and plans involving the Lagdo hydroelectric plant. In the water sector, discussions focused on difficulties in expanding access in rural communities. Eloundou Essomba also referred to plans for small water-retention dams.

Start-up financing and business links

During the September 9 meeting at the Ministry of SMEs, both sides examined ways to mobilize international financing for Cameroonian start-ups, particularly digital businesses. Discussions also covered technology transfer and the creation of a dialogue framework involving Egyptian institutions specializing in micro, small and medium-sized enterprise development.

The two countries are considering reviving a proposed training center for leather trades and opening negotiations on a handicrafts cooperation agreement. Egypt could also share experience from its SME development strategy through 2030. The two sides also discussed plans for a Cameroon-Egypt business forum in Egypt. Cameroonian companies and investors were invited to participate in the El Alamein African Business Forum, scheduled for October 2-4.

The discussions are aimed at strengthening links between businesses and government institutions, presenting Cameroonian projects to potential partners and expanding cooperation in energy, water, SMEs, handicrafts, vocational training and technology transfer.

Mercy Fosoh