Cameroon launches AgriConnect pact to boost agricultural investment

The Government of Cameroon, the World Bank Group, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have launched the AgriConnect Country Compact. This initiative aims to transform the agropastoral and agrifood sectors to strengthen food security and create jobs, particularly for women and youth.

The program outlines 24 interventions for the period 2026–2030, requiring an estimated $1.87 billion (approximately CFA 1.12 trillion) in investment. A primary objective is to reduce Cameroon’s food import bill by 28% by 2030, lowering it from roughly $1.6 billion to $1.15 billion.

AgriConnect focuses on eight key value chains: corn, rice, cassava, palm oil, cocoa, soybeans, dairy, and aquaculture. Specific production targets for 2030 include 6 million tons of corn, 800,000 tons of palm oil, and domestic rice production covering 55% of national demand. The pact is built on three pillars: strengthening agrifood foundations, accelerating regulatory reforms, and increasing access to finance for producers.

While the government plans to issue 500,000 land titles by 2030 to facilitate investment, the specific scope and procedures for this measure have not been detailed by the World Bank or IFAD.