Yaoundé, Cameroon, The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group successfully concluded the IsDB Group Day in Cameroon, bringing together senior government officials, private sector leaders, financial institutions, chambers of commerce, development partners, and international stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, promote investment, and enhance private sector-led growth in Cameroon.
The high-level event underscored Cameroon’s strategic importance as one of Africa’s promising economies and highlighted the critical role of private sector engagement in addressing key development challenges, including infrastructure gaps, youth and women unemployment, limited access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the transition toward a more diversified and sustainable economy.
The IsDB Group Day in Cameroon served as a strategic platform to present the Group’s comprehensive range of services and solutions in investment, trade finance, insurance, Islamic finance, and capacity building, while facilitating dialogue among investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners, fostering meaningful engagement and the exploration of practical business and investment opportunities.
This event marks an important milestone in the longstanding and valuable partnership between the Republic of Cameroon and the Islamic Development Bank Group. Since Cameroon joined the Bank in 1977, a total amount of US$ 4.2 billion has been approved by the Bank Group for the benefit of the people in Cameroon. Looking ahead, the IsDB Group is preparing to deliver more holistic and programmatic support to Cameroon through the Country Engagement Framework (CEF) for Cameroon 2027-2029, that will be developed at the crossroads between Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30) and IsDB Group newly launched 10-year Strategic Framework.
A panel discussion examined Cameroon’s development priorities and the role of IsDB Group in exploring avenues for cooperation and forging strategic partnerships to advance Cameroon’s path towards sustainable and inclusive development.
The discussions were closely aligned with Cameroon’s development vision of building a diversified, inclusive, and resilient economy driven by private sector-led growth. Key priorities included strengthening public-private partnerships, advancing renewable energy and green infrastructure, and investing in human capital to unlock opportunities for youth and women. Another panel explored how the private sector can contribute to achieving the goals of NDS30, while a dedicated session examined line of finance mechanisms from investment and trade perspectives, highlighting their role in improving SME access to finance and enhancing trade integration.
The signing ceremony witnessed the exchange of several financing agreements between IsDB and the Government of Cameroon as well as letters of intent between ICD and financial partners in Cameroon aimed at strengthening cooperation between the IsDB Group and Cameroon’s public and private sectors. The total value of the agreements reached EUR 137 million.
A series of bilateral (B2B and B2G) meetings were held among representatives of the IsDB Group, business leaders, investors, and financial institutions to explore opportunities for cooperation and partnerships. Success stories implemented in Cameroon in partnership with local entrepreneurs as well as local and international institutions were also presented. The IsDB Group Day in Cameroon attracted a strong and diverse turnout, bringing together more than 500 participants representing government institutions, private sector organizations, financial institutions, chambers of commerce, development partners, and other key stakeholders.
The event also highlighted the activities, services, and initiatives of IsDB Group institutions, including the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBi), the Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum (THIQAH), and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF).
The day concluded with a reaffirmation of the IsDB Group’s commitment to continued cooperation with the government of Cameroon and the country’s private sector to further build strategic partnerships, expand investment and trade opportunities, and enhance the business environment, contributing to sustainable development in Cameroon.
About Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group:
Rated AAA by the major rating agencies of the world, the Islamic Development Bank is the pioneering multilateral development bank (MDB) of the Global South that has been working for over 50 years to improve the lives of the people and communities it serves by delivering impact at scale. The Bank brings together 57 Member Countries across four continents, touching the lives of nearly 1 of 4 people worldwide. It is committed to addressing development challenges and promoting collaboration to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by equipping people to drive their own green economic and sustainable social progress, putting planet-friendly infrastructure in place and enabling them to fulfil their potential. Headquartered in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, IsDB has 10 regional hubs and a center of excellence. Over the years, the Bank has evolved from a single entity into a group comprising: the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBi); the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC); the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD); and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).
About the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC)
Established in 1994, ICIEC seeks to strengthen economic relations and stimulate trade and investment among OIC member countries through the provision of risk mitigation instruments and financial solutions. It remains the world’s only multilateral insurer operating in compliance with Islamic Sharia.
ICIEC currently serves 50 countries and has maintained its “Aa3” insurance credit rating from Moody’s for 17 consecutive years – the among credit and political risk insurers. It also received a first-time long-term credit rating of AA- from Standard & Poor’s with a stable outlook. The Corporation’s resilience is underpinned by sound underwriting, reinsurance and risk management practices. To date, ICIEC has cumulatively insured over 121 billion USD in trade and investment across key sectors, including energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.
For more information, visit: http://iciec.isdb.org ,
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Email: ICIEC-Communication@isdb.org
About the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)
A member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, ICD is a multilateral financial institution with an authorized capital is 4 billion USD, of which 2 billion USD is available for subscription. Its shareholders comprise the Islamic Development Bank, 56 member countries, and five public financial institutions.
Since its inception in 1999, the Corporation has played a pivotal role in fostering inclusive and sustainable growth through Shariah-compliant financing, cross-border investments, and vital infrastructure development. ICD has contributed significantly to enhancing the economic landscape of its member countries.
Website:
icd-ps.org
Social media:
Twitter: @ICD_PS
LinkedIn: ICDPS
Facebook: icdps
Instagram: @icdps
YouTube: ICDPSTV
About the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided US$100 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.
Contact:
Twitter: @ITFCCORP
Facebook: @ITFCCORP
LinkedIn: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)
E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org
About the IsDB Institute (IsDBi):
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on https://isdbinstitute.org/
Social media handles:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/isdbinstitute
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isdbinstitute
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/isdbinstitute-isdbi/
About the Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum (THIQAH)
THIQAH serves as the private sector interface of the IsDB Group, facilitating engagement and collaboration between the Group entities and businesses in member countries. Its core aim is to build an inclusive, strategic platform for dialogue, cooperation and partnerships focused on high potentials investment opportunities.
By leveraging IsDB Group resources, THIQAH offers support services and confidence to investors while promoting cross-border investment flows within member countries.
Website (www.idbgbf.org)
Email: THIQAH@isdb.org
Twitter: @IDBGTHIQAH
Facebook: @IDBGTHIQAH
LinkedIn: IsDB Group Business Forum – THIQAH
About the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF)
The Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) is a leading international development initiative supported by an unprecedented global coalition of six founding partners: the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the Gates Foundation (GF), the IsDB Concessional Fund (ICF), the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
Built on solidarity, partnership, and country ownership, LLF supports government-led development priorities across 33 IsDB member countries. Our strength lies in this unity of purpose. Through this collective momentum, LLF deploys an innovative blended finance model that combines concessional financing from IsDB with grant resources from its partners, enabling countries to access affordable, long-term, and sustainable funding for transformative development programs.
The Fund invests in the essential building blocks of prosperity—primary healthcare, productive agriculture, and social infrastructure—while systematically integrating cross-cutting priorities such as climate resilience, gender equality, and women’s empowerment across its portfolio. Through these interventions, LLF contributes to the achievement of 10 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning national priorities with the global development agenda.
Beyond financing, LLF supports the entire project lifecycle—from pipeline development and technical design to implementation support and results monitoring—ensuring sustainable outcomes and expanding opportunities for individuals and communities to build lives of dignity, resilience, and livelihood
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