Cameroon ministries partner to formalize informal economy
The Ministry of SMEs and GECAM agreed on a roadmap to integrate informal businesses into structured economic circuits by 2030.
Cameroon's Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Crafts (MINPMEESA) and the Group of Cameroonian Enterprises (GECAM) met on November 4, 2026, in Douala to discuss formalizing the informal economy. Minister Achille Bassilekin III led the MINPMEESA delegation in discussions with GECAM President Célestin Tawamba and other public and private sector representatives. The meeting aimed to find ways to support informal production units towards becoming more structured, productive, and job-creating.
The national consultation focused on three key areas: taxation, sector structuring, and financing. Following deliberations, joint recommendations were formulated and signed by the Minister and the GECAM President. These recommendations will form the basis of a 2027-2030 roadmap designed to accelerate the gradual transformation of the productive sector and ease the integration of economic actors into formal channels.
MINPMEESA stated its goal is to change perceptions of informal economy actors, highlight their entrepreneurial potential, and use their support as a tool for economic and social development.
Why it mattersCameroonian informal economy actors will be supported to integrate into formal economic structures, improving their productivity and access to finance.