Cameroon has stepped up efforts to attract foreign investment, presenting a slate of “concrete” and bankable projects to French investors at a business forum in Paris, as authorities seek to accelerate growth and industrial development.
Speaking at the Invest in Africa forum, convened by the French Investors Council in Africa, Water Resources and Energy Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba said the country was shifting its narrative from untapped potential to structured investment opportunities.
“We do not come to speak to you about potential. We come to present concrete opportunities,” he told business leaders and economic stakeholders gathered in the French capital.
The pitch comes as Cameroon’s economy grows at around four per cent, reinforcing its position as one of the leading economies in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).
Officials say the government is prioritising sectors with strong multiplier effects, including energy, infrastructure, agro-industry and digital services, as it seeks to attract long-term, productive investment.
With a population of more than 30 million people and access to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Cameroon is positioning itself as a regional hub capable of integrating into continental value chains and serving growing demand across Central Africa.
Energy development remains at the centre of the country’s investment strategy.
Authorities highlighted Cameroon’s significant hydroelectric potential as a key competitive advantage, with plans to expand generation capacity to support industrialisation and meet rising domestic and regional electricity demand.
The Nachtigal hydropower dam — a flagship public-private partnership involving international financiers — was cited as an example of the country’s ability to deliver large-scale, commercially viable projects.
Officials said expanding reliable energy supply is critical to unlocking industrial growth, improving productivity and attracting manufacturing investment.
Beyond energy, the government is also promoting infrastructure development and agro-industrial transformation as pillars of its economic strategy.
These sectors are seen as essential for boosting local value addition, reducing import dependence and creating jobs across both urban and rural areas.
At the same time, authorities say reforms are underway to improve the business environment and address longstanding investor concerns.
These include streamlining administrative procedures, increasing the digitalisation of public services and strengthening incentives for private sector participation through public-private partnerships.
Officials say the reforms are aimed at reducing transaction costs, improving transparency and accelerating project implementation timelines.
Analysts note that Cameroon’s investment push reflects broader competition among African economies to attract foreign capital, particularly as global investors seek new growth markets amid shifting economic conditions.
However, challenges remain, including infrastructure gaps, regulatory complexity and governance concerns, which investors often cite as barriers to entry.
By emphasising ready-to-finance projects and ongoing reforms, Cameroonian authorities hope to reassure investors and position the country as a credible destination for capital.
The Paris forum provided an opportunity to engage directly with French and European investors, who have historically played a significant role in Cameroon’s economy.
As the country seeks to move from resource-based growth to more diversified industrial development, officials say attracting sustained foreign investment will be key to achieving its long-term economic ambitions.
