German Businesses Explore Investment Opportunities in Cameroon

German companies are exploring new investment opportunities in Cameroon, with a delegation of around 30 business leaders identifying projects in agro-industry, renewable energy, infrastructure, industrial processing, technology and vocational training during a visit to Yaounde.

The delegation, organized by the German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW), met Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute after attending the PROMOTE trade fair and the Cameroon-Europe Forum. The visit forms part of efforts by both countries to expand trade, increase investment and strengthen private-sector cooperation.

Speaking after the meeting, BVMW Secretary General Andreas Jahn said the delegation was looking to launch new projects and partnerships while expanding the presence of German businesses in Cameroon.

“We discussed Germany’s engagement in Cameroon and how we can intensify our cooperation. We are a delegation of around 30 entrepreneurs who came for PROMOTE and the Cameroon-Europe Forum. The objective is to identify practical ways of putting new projects and partnerships on track,” Jahn said.

According to Jahn, German companies see opportunities in sectors considered strategic for Cameroon’s economic transformation, including agro-industry, renewable energy, infrastructure, industrial processing, technology and vocational training.

The BVMW represents around 900,000 businesses across Germany, including some 30,000 SMEs and family-owned companies. Cameroonian authorities see the association as a gateway to technology transfer, industrial expertise and new investment.

Prime Minister Dion Ngute reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting foreign investors and creating a favorable business environment.

Technology Transfer and Industrial Partnerships

Ahead of the meeting with the Prime Minister, the delegation held separate talks with Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts Achille Bassilekin III to discuss closer cooperation between businesses from both countries.

The discussions focused on facilitating access by Cameroonian companies to German industrial equipment and technical expertise, with the aim of modernizing local production and processing capacity. The two sides also examined opportunities to establish joint ventures between German and Cameroonian investors.

Jahn said efforts would continue to attract additional German investment, with the objective of delivering concrete projects before the end of the year. The two sides also discussed holding a regular Cameroon-Germany Business Forum to promote investment opportunities and strengthen business ties between companies in both countries. 

Trade Imbalance Drives Push for New Investment

The push to deepen economic ties continued at the Cameroon-Germany Economic Development Forum, held alongside PROMOTE 2026. The forum focused on three sectors identified as priorities for future cooperation: agro-industry, renewable energy and digital technologies.

Speaking at the event, Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Economy Paul Tasong said the two countries needed to expand trade and investment to address a persistent trade imbalance.

“The bilateral trade balance remains unfavorable to Cameroon, with imports from Germany exceeding Cameroonian exports. It is therefore important to multiply platforms such as this to intensify trade and promote a more balanced economic relationship,” he said.

Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts Achille Bassilekin III described the forum as an opportunity to translate the two countries’ economic potential into concrete business partnerships.

Germany also pledged to maintain momentum after the forum. Philipp Knill, Director for Africa at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, said discussions should now lead to bankable projects and financing opportunities.

“We are here to discuss projects and ideas. We must open doors, build teams that can work together and identify financing opportunities. We intend to ensure concrete follow-up to the outcomes of this event,” Knill said.

The forum ended with both sides committing to turning the discussions into investment projects and long-term partnerships between German and Cameroonian businesses.

Mercy Fosoh