Cameroon is finalising two major loan agreements worth CFA51.7bn with Standard Chartered Bank London to boost the industrial capacity of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), according to the country’s latest public debt report.
The financing comprises a CFA47bn facility and a smaller CFA4.7bn package, earmarked for the construction of new rubber-processing and palm-oil production plants. Both industrial units will support CDC operations in the South-West and Littoral regions, where the state-owned agribusiness manages banana, rubber and oil palm plantations.
The report, released by the Autonomous Sinking Fund (CAA), confirms that President Paul Biya signed two decrees on September 22, 2025, authorising Economy Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey to contract the loans on behalf of the state. Government sources say negotiations are in their final stages.
The investment push comes at a critical time for the CDC, which is undergoing a multi-year recovery programme after years of financial strain and operational disruptions. A key turning point came on September 17, 2025, when the government and a consortium of local banks reached an agreement to clear CFA15.7bn in salary arrears owed to workers, an essential step in restoring stability within the corporation.
With the new industrial facilities, authorities aim to jump-start value addition, reduce post-harvest losses and position the CDC as a stronger contributor to Cameroon’s agro-industrial exports. Officials describe the expansion as a core pillar of the company’s turnaround strategy.
