The Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA) signed a 1.5-billion-FCFA partnership with the Cameroon Bank for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (#BC-PME) to support local businesses, especially in the agropastoral and fisheries sectors.
The agreement, signed at Immeuble Emergence in Yaounde this December 4, 2025 aligns with the government’s Integrated Agropastoral and Fisheries Import-Substitution Plan (#PIISAH) to boost local production and reduce import dependence.
Of the 1.5 billion FCFA, 330 million will fund individual agro-food processing units, 930 million will go to three pilot collective units, and 240 million will buy modern palm oil presses for cooperatives. BC-PME will select eligible enterprises and disburse funds at a subsidized 4% interest rate, while monitoring and evaluation will ensure transparency and impact.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the capacity of local SMEs, improve production efficiency, and create new employment opportunities in rural and urban communities. By focusing on value chains in strategic sectors, the government aims to stimulate entrepreneurship, increase local value addition, and reduce Cameroon’s reliance on imported goods.
MINPMEESA plans to expand the initiative in 2026 with 1.6 billion FCFA to broaden sector coverage and increase SME production capacity. The partnership demonstrates the government’s commitment to fostering a resilient, inclusive economy where SMEs drive growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
_Egoh Yvonne (Intern)
