The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Cameroon have formalized a new bilateral agreement aimed at deepening cooperation between the two nations. The UAE’s ambassador to Cameroon, Salem Saeed Musabbeh Almahyoubi Alshamsi, announced the upcoming accord during a recent engagement in Yaounde.
This was the outcome of a high-level meeting between Cameroon’s Minister of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, Achille Bassilekin III, and the Emirati Ambassador, held behind closed doors. At the heart of the discussions was the drive to deepen collaboration, particularly in sectors critical to Cameroon’s economic transformation. Minister Bassilekin III highlighted Cameroon’s robust economic potential, outlining key opportunities for Emirati investment in industries such as food processing, wood transformation, and small-scale manufacturing.
He underscored the country’s ambitious 2030 National Development Strategy (NDS30), which prioritizes economic diversification and innovation-driven growth. The Emirati Ambassador, in turn, reassured of his country’s readiness to support Cameroon’s development agenda. He announced the establishment of a dedicated working team to ensure concrete progress in implementing joint initiatives. The UAE’s economic model, which successfully transitioned from a fossil fuel-dependent economy to a service and innovation-led strategy, was cited as an inspiration for Cameroon’s own diversification efforts. Beyond direct investments, both officials explored the potential for increased collaboration between entrepreneurs from both nations.
Mechanisms for funding small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), fostering innovation, and supporting industrial transformation were also reviewed. Minister Bassilekin III emphasized the importance of leveraging Emirati expertise in creating a more competitive business environment in Cameroon. Looking ahead, the two countries plan to intensify economic engagements through regular bilateral forums and investment summits. Minister Bassilekin III expressed optimism that these strengthened ties will unlock new opportunities for joint ventures and sustainable economic partnerships.
