The government of Cameroon is seeking to revive Camagro, its national agropastoral market information platform, more than a decade after the tool was launched but failed to gain lasting traction.
In a recent call for expressions of interest, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (Minpostel) announced a preselection process for consulting firms and operators to redesign the platform’s governance structure, institutional framework and long-term operating model. The move signals a renewed effort to address weaknesses that limited the platform’s impact since its creation in 2011.
According to the ministry, Camagro requires “a thorough restructuring of its governance framework, institutional anchoring and operating model to ensure its sustainability, performance, security and effective adoption by all stakeholders.” Rather than focusing solely on technological upgrades, the government appears intent on rethinking the platform’s overall design and accountability structure.
Camagro was originally conceived as a digital tool to provide farmers, traders and consumers with reliable access to agricultural market information. The platform was expected to publish regular data on food prices, product availability and commercial trends across the country. By improving access to market information, authorities hoped to strengthen price transparency, reduce asymmetries between producers and intermediaries, and ultimately enhance incomes in the agropastoral sector.
In 2015, the Ministry of Trade signed a partnership agreement with state-owned telecom operator Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) to supply the platform with price data collected from markets nationwide. An SMS-based system was also planned to extend access to rural communities with limited or no internet connectivity.
Despite these initiatives, Camagro struggled to achieve widespread adoption. In 2016, responsibility for the platform was transferred to Minpostel, but the project gradually faded from public view. Limited visibility, unclear governance arrangements and questions over data reliability are believed to have contributed to its decline.
The current relaunch effort suggests authorities want to first understand the reasons behind the platform’s earlier shortcomings before attempting a full-scale revival. The selected consultant will conduct a comprehensive diagnostic review, including a technical audit of the platform’s infrastructure, a legal and regulatory assessment, and an evaluation of existing management mechanisms. The study will also identify operational gaps and bottlenecks that hindered previous implementation.
A key component of the assignment involves mapping relevant stakeholders, including sector ministries, private operators, producer organizations and development partners. The consultant will be tasked with clearly defining roles and responsibilities to avoid overlaps and ensure institutional coherence. The aim is to establish a governance framework capable of delivering reliable data and maintaining user trust.
Beyond governance reforms, the relaunch will require a viable economic and financial model to guarantee long-term sustainability. The study is expected to propose funding mechanisms, revenue streams where appropriate, and performance indicators tied to service quality and data protection standards. Ensuring credibility and transparency will be critical if the platform is to regain the confidence of farmers and traders.
The revival comes at a time when agriculture remains central to Cameroon’s economy and food security strategy. By facilitating access to timely and accurate market information, authorities hope Camagro can reduce information gaps that often distort price formation and weaken producers’ bargaining power.
If successfully restructured, the platform could support more efficient agricultural markets, strengthen value chains and contribute to improved income stability in rural communities. However, its success will depend not only on technology upgrades but also on governance clarity, institutional coordination and sustained political commitment.
