Thai companies are targeting Cameroon as a strategic entry point to the wider Central African market, following the maiden Thailand-Cameroon Business Matching Forum 2026 held in Yaoundé.
Organised by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Crafts of Cameroon (CCIMA), the forum brought together 11 Thai economic operators on a prospecting mission. The delegation, led by Kanokpun Phattraprinsiri, Director of the Thailand Trade Centre in Abuja, showcased products ranging from agricultural machinery, industrial and automotive lubricants, and air conditioning systems to food and beverages, cosmetics, and security equipment.
The event focused on priority sectors including agriculture, agro-industry, food and beverages, energy-saving technologies, and security systems. Participants were also briefed on arbitration and conciliation mechanisms to facilitate the amicable settlement of potential commercial disputes.
“Cameroon’s strategic location makes it a gateway not only to the national market but to the wider CEMAC region of more than 80 million people,” said Bienvenu Bidjogo Ndongo, Regional Delegate of the Chamber for the Centre Region. He added that the initiative is designed to enable foreign companies to explore partnerships that could extend beyond distribution to long-term local production.
Kanokpun Phattraprinsiri highlighted Cameroon’s economic growth, projected at about 4.3% according to World Bank data, noting that Africa represents a new frontier for Thai entrepreneurs seeking to diversify export markets. “The objective is to bring Thailand experts to meet Cameroon importers to boost trade between both nations,” she said.
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During business-to-business sessions, several companies discussed potential collaborations. Yan Naing Tun of Variety Foods International Co. LTD said his firm, which exports to more than 50 countries, was exploring opportunities in Cameroon, particularly for value-added food products including wheat-based healthy snacks.
Economic ties between Cameroon and Thailand have expanded in recent years, with Thai rice and consumer goods gaining ground in local markets. Thai firms have also expressed interest in infrastructure and renewable energy projects, aligning with Cameroon’s push to diversify its economy and attract foreign direct investment.
The forum follows earlier government-level engagements aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and promoting trade and investment relations between the two countries. By connecting Thai investors with Cameroonian counterparts, organisers hope to stimulate industrial cooperation, transfer technological expertise, and expand regional trade networks across West and Central Africa.
Officials emphasised that partnerships with Thai companies could support the transformation of Cameroon’s economy, providing local firms with access to more advanced industrial know-how and opportunities for joint production and processing.
With its central location in the CEMAC region, Cameroon is increasingly positioning itself as a hub for regional trade and investment, offering access to more than 80 million consumers while facilitating the integration of foreign expertise into local industries.
Cameroon has been actively promoting foreign investment and regional trade integration as part of its economic diversification strategy. The country is a member of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), giving it access to a regional market of over 80 million consumers. In recent years, Cameroonian authorities have sought to attract foreign partners in key sectors such as agriculture, agro-industry, energy, infrastructure, and food processing.
Thailand has steadily expanded trade relations with African countries, supplying rice, food products, industrial machinery, and consumer goods, while exploring investment opportunities in infrastructure, energy, and technology. Thai companies are increasingly seeking new growth markets in Africa to diversify exports and strengthen global supply chains.
Forums like the Thailand-Cameroon Business Matching Forum aim to facilitate business-to-business connections, promote joint ventures, and encourage technology and knowledge transfer. They provide a platform for foreign companies to explore local partnerships, understand regulatory frameworks, and assess market potential.
Cameroon’s strategic geographic location, political stability relative to the region, and ongoing economic reforms make it an attractive entry point for companies looking to expand into Central Africa, while Thailand’s expertise in industrial and agricultural technology positions it as a valuable partner in local capacity building.
