Cameroon launches AgriConnect to boost farming sector

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today launched the AgriConnect Country Compact with Cameroon and the World Bank Group. This initiative aims to speed up the transformation of the agropastoral and agrifood sectors, improve food security, and create jobs. The plan focuses on strengthening the sector's foundations, reforming policies, and increasing access to finance for producers and businesses.

AgriConnect will target value chains including rice, maize, cassava, oil palm, cocoa, soybean, dairy, and aquaculture. IFAD Country Director Eric Rwabidadi stated IFAD's commitment to supporting youth entrepreneurship, inclusive value chains, rural finance, and climate resilience. Cameroon's agrifood sector currently represents 17 per cent of GDP and employs 4.7 million workers, but faces constraints in access to inputs, infrastructure, technology, markets, and finance.

By 2030, AgriConnect aims to significantly increase production of maize to 6 million tonnes and palm oil to 800,000 tonnes, achieve 55 per cent rice self-sufficiency, meet 60 per cent of national milk demand domestically, and boost fisheries and aquaculture to 450,530 tonnes. The Compact also seeks to reduce the food import bill by 28 per cent, from US$1.6 billion to US$1.15 billion, requiring an estimated US$1.87 billion in investment over 2026–2030.

Why it mattersCameroon's agrifood sector, which accounts for 17 per cent of GDP and 4.7 million jobs, will be transformed to increase production and reduce import bills.

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